Maximum radius of carbon dioxide baited trap impact in woodland: Implications for host-finding by mosquitoes

Abstract

CDC traps were used to determine the maximum radius of carbon dioxide attraction within forest habitat (a forest plant community with Carpino betuli-Quercetum roburis). A central CDC trap with dry ice (CO2) was set as the source of attractant (Ck). Around Ck trap two circles (A and B) of CDC traps without attractants were placed. Circle A was constituted of 6 CDC traps and Circles B with 12 CDC traps. Radius from Circle A and B to the Ck trap were used to determine CO2 maximum range. During the experiment, the average emissions of CO2 were 0.08 to 0.1 g s-1. Regarding the data, optimal radius attraction where CO2 was affected on mosquitoes was between 55 and 70 m from the source. Results propose that the distance between traps should be greater than 140 m, to ensure the absence of bias by each of the traps. Changes in CO2 maximum concentration and wind velocity directly affected the catch of different species. The number of Ochlerotatus sticticus collected was positively correlated with wind speed. © 2014 Versita Warsaw and Springer-Verlag Wien.