Effects of color and perforated lid on ovitrap preference of aedes aegypti and aedes albopictus

Abstract

The shape and color of an ovitrap affect the sampling efficiency of mosquitoes. We examined the effect of perforated lids of different colored cups on the preference of Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus for oviposition containers. The mosquito species were collected from Tuy Hoa City, Phu Yen Province, Vietnam in April 2016. Females of both species laid eggs in cups without a lid in the order of black, red, and green. However, the number of eggs laid by both species was not different between the black cups with a perforated lid and those without a lid. Aedes aegypti females laid more eggs in red cups with a perforated lid than cups without a lid. Green cups with a perforated lid were not preferred by Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. Our results showed that the effect of perforated lids on oviposition preference was dependent on cup color and that it differed between the mosquito species. Out study provides valuable insights for the development of more effective ovitraps for Aedes mosquito surveillance and control.