WO2011094600A1

WO2011094600A1 - Mosquito trap

Info

Publication number: WO2011094600A1
Application number: PCT/US2011/023006
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dawn Wesson; Charles Apperson; Loganathan Ponnusamy; Philipp A. Kirsch; Coby Schal; Dariusz Czokajlo
Original assignee: North Carolina State University; The Administrators Of The Tulane Educational Fund
Priority date: 2010-01-29
Filing date: 2011-01-28
Publication date: 2011-08-04

Abstract

A mosquito trap includes a collapsible, flexible structure having a toxic fabric and an open end, a support ring attached to the open end, and a hanger attached to the support ring.

Description

MOSQUITO TRAP

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent

Application No. 61/299,832 filed on January 29, 2010, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to traps, and more particularly to mosquito traps.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Mosquito traps of many different designs exist in the marketplace. Large- scale traps designed to kill large numbers of mosquitoes, however, are often expensive and rely upon an energy source (e.g., electricity, propane, etc.) for their operation. Consequently, such traps are not feasible for use in poverty-stricken areas or remote areas where electricity or propane is not readily available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention provides, in one aspect, a mosquito trap including a collapsible, flexible structure including a toxic fabric and having an open end, a support ring attached to the open end, and a hanger attached to the support ring.

[0005] The present invention provides, in another aspect, a mosquito trap including a flexible structure having a toxic fabric and an open end, an external support structure surrounding the flexible structure and maintaining the flexible structure in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a hanger attached to the external support structure.

[0006] Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mosquito trap in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. [0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mosquito trap of FIG. 1, illustrating the trap in a collapsed configuration.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a mosquito trap in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a mosquito trap in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an ovitrap for use with any of the mosquito traps shown in FIGS. 1-4.

[0012] FIG. 6 illustrates parts of a mosquito trap examined in Example 1.

[0013] FIG. 7 is a graph of the mean percentage of mosquito eggs retained, the mean percentage of trapped, dead mosquitoes that were gravid, and the mean percentage of mosquito mortality over the course of 12 weeks using the trap illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0014] FIG. 8 is a graph of the mean percentage of mosquito eggs retained, the mean percentage of trapped, dead mosquitoes that were gravid, and the mean percentage of mosquito mortality using a mosquito trap with and without a toxic strip in the water.

[0015] FIG. 9 is a graph of the mean percentage of mosquito eggs retained, the mean percentage of trapped, dead mosquitoes that were gravid, and the mean percentage of mosquito mortality using a mosquito trap with common backyard containers as alternative oviposition sites.

[0016] FIG. 10 is a graph of the mean percentage of Aedes aegypti mosquito eggs retained using a mosquito trap with or without a toxic fabric, with or without toxic water, and with or without bamboo leaf infusion.

[0017] FIG. 11 is a graph of the mean percentage of dead Aedes aegypti mosquitoes retained that were gravid using a mosquito trap with or without a toxic fabric, with or without toxic water, and with or without bamboo leaf infusion.

[0018] FIG. 12 is a graph of the mean percentage mortality of Aedes aegypti mosquito adults using a mosquito trap with or without a toxic fabric, with or without toxic water, and with or without bamboo leaf infusion. [0019] FIG. 13 is a graph of the mean percentage of mosquito eggs retained, the mean percentage of trapped, dead mosquitoes that were gravid, and the mean percentage of mosquito mortality using a hanging mosquito trap.

[0020] FIG. 14 is a graph of the mean percentage of mosquito eggs retained, the mean percentage of trapped, dead mosquitoes that were gravid, and the mean percentage of mosquito mortality using mosquito traps of different colors.

[0021] FIG. 15 is a graph of the mean number of mosquito adults trapped on a sticky screen for mosquito traps with and without a top and with only well water and no attractant.

[0022] FIG. 16 is a graph of the mean number of Aedes aegypti mosquito adults trapped on a sticky screen for mosquito traps with and without a top and with or without white oak leaf infusion in the water.

[0023] FIG. 17 is a graph of the mean number of Aedes albopictus mosquito adults trapped on a sticky screen for mosquito traps with and without a top and with or without white oak leaf infusion in the water.

[0024] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] With reference to FIG. 1, a mosquito trap or a toxic fabric trap in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention is shown. The trap is generally cylindrical in shape with an opening 105 in one end. Alternatively, the opening 105 may be disposed between the opposite ends of the trap, and may include any of a number of different shapes. The cylindrical wall of the trap includes a toxic fabric 102. The toxic fabric 102 may include a fabric, cloth, textile, or flexible woven material that is coated or impregnated with one or both of an insecticide and an acaricide. Such a toxic fabric 102 is commercially available under the trade name DURANET from Clarke Products of Roselle, Illinois. The fabric 102 includes a dark color (e.g., black) for attracting mosquitoes. Alternatively, the toxic fabric 102 may include a light color to attract flying pests other than mosquitoes.

[0026] The toxic fabric 102 may include one or more chemical compounds that act as attractants to mosquitos in the vicinity of the trap. Such attractants may be disposed in the toxic fabric 102 or in the space that is substantially enclosed by the toxic fabric 102. Such attractants may be delivered via one or more controlled release formulations or technologies. For example, an attractant lure (e.g., sugar) or other type of compelling volatile or contact semiochemical may be deployed together with the toxic fabric 102 to attract or bring the target mosquito, insect, or arthropod into contact with the toxic fabric 102 for sufficient time to deliver a debilitating dosage of toxicant to kill the mosquito, insect, or arthropod. Such contact may result from, for example, entering the trap through the opening 105 or landing on the exterior of the toxic fabric 102. The attractant may lure mosquitos or insects from a long range, or may have a contact mode of action whereby the target is arrested on physical contact with the fabric 102 and caused to stay in contact with the toxic agent (e.g., insecticide or acaricide) impregnated in or coating the fabric 102. Chemical attractants of microbial origin may be produced remotely and then introduced into the trap. Alternatively, the appropriate microbial population may be disposed with the toxic fabric 102 and chemical attractants produced in situ.

[0027] The trap also includes a support ring 104 attached to one end of the toxic fabric 102. In the illustrated construction of the trap, the support ring 104 is attached to the end of the toxic fabric having the opening 105, such that the support ring 104 holds the fabric 102 taught to maintain the shape of the opening 105. Also, in the illustrated construction of the trap, the support ring 104 is made of a relatively thin corrugated material. Alternatively, the support ring 104 may be made from plastic, which provides structural integrity in inclement (i.e., damp or wet) weather. As a further alternative, any suitable material may be used when making the support ring 104.

[0028] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the support ring 104 also includes attachment points for a hanger 106, which is used to suspend the trap above a horizontal support surface (e.g., the ground). For example, the hanger 106 may be utilized to hang the trap from a tree branch. In the illustrated construction of the trap, the hanger 106 includes a metal wire. Alternatively, the hanger 106 may include or be made from any material suitable for performing the above-described function of the hanger 106. Furthermore, even though illustrated hanger 106 is shown as being formed of two support strands, three or more support strands may also be used. The hanger 106 may alternatively be integrally formed with the support ring 104 as a single piece. The hanger 106 may also be provided separately and engaged with the support ring 104 when deploying trap. By providing the hanger 106 as a separate component from the support ring 104, it is possible to provide a variety of hangers with the trap having different lengths and/or mounting or hooking mechanisms for attachment to trees or other structures.

[0029] With continued reference to FIG. 1 , it should be noted that the trap does not include any internal or external support structures or stiffeners imparting the cylindrical shape to the fabric 102. As a result, the trap may be collapsed or folded for compact and convenient storage or transportation. In addition, the trap may be deployed simply by hanging the trap from a support surface and allowing gravity to extend the fabric 102 to its full length.

[0030] FIG. 2 illustrates the trap of FIG. 1 in a collapsed or folded configuration. The support ring is laid on top of the collapsed or folded fabric 102, and the hanger 106 is folded down so that it is substantially parallel with the support ring 104. The hanger 106 may be removable from the support ring 104 to facilitate storage or disposal of the trap.

[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates a mosquito trap or a toxic fabric trap in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention. The trap in FIG. 3 includes a flexible toxic fabric outer layer 304 surrounding an inner inflatable bag 302. The inflatable bag 302 may be initially provided in an inflated state or uninflated state. If the bag 302 is initially provided in an uninflated state, the bag 302 is inflated (e.g., using air or another gas) during deployment of the trap. When the bag 302 is inflated 302, the layer 304 is stretched around the bag 302 to assume the general shape of the bag 302. When deployed, the toxic fabric outer layer 304 reflects ambient light in all directions, thereby enhancing the attractiveness of the trap to mosquitos and other pests.

[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates a mosquito trap or a toxic fabric trap in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention. The trap includes an external structural support 402 surrounding a toxic fabric 404. In the illustrated construction of the trap, the external structural support 402 is configured as a non-toxic plastic mesh formed in a generally cylindrical shape. The toxic fabric 402 is attached to opposite ends of the support 402 (i.e., at the top and bottom of the cylindrical support 402). Alternatively, the fabric 402 may be attached to the support 402 in any suitable way. The trap also includes a hanger 406 attached to the external structural support 402 for suspending the trap from a support surface (e.g., a tree branch, etc.).

[0033] The trap may alternatively include, when used as a mosquito killing station, an ovitrap disposed within the interior of the fabric 404 to facilitate population suppression of one or more pests (e.g., mosquitoes, flies, moths, etc.). The ovitrap may be supported by a floor of the external structural support 402 or suspended above the floor of the support 402 using other supporting structure coupled to the hanger 406. The ovitrap functions as an attractant to any mosquitos in the vicinity of the trap. Such an arrangement may be referred to as a toxic fabric ovitrap, and is well-suited to attracting and killing mosquitoes.

[0034] Ovitraps are used to collect the eggs of certain day-flying, container-inhabiting

Aedes (Stegomyia) mosquitoes including Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus. Ovitraps are typically used for conducting vector surveillance and providing a means of qualifying the presence or absence of these mosquitoes. These mosquitoes are known as container- inhabiting Aedes because they prefer to lay their eggs in a variety of natural and artificial containers. Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus and other Stegomyia species are of great concern because of their ability to transmit diseases.

[0035] An ovitrap may be constructed from a bucket of water where mosquitoes go to lay eggs. Commonly deployed surveillance ovitraps 410, such as that shown in FIG. 5, include a glass or plastic container 414, of approximately one-pint capacity, painted or colored flat black or another dark color. A wooden tongue depressor 418 is wrapped in a light-colored cotton muslin cloth, germination paper, or paper toweling and is placed inside the container 414 and held in place with a large paper clip 422. The container 414 is then filled with water until the container is about one -half full. The water is preferably obtained from a natural source that is attractive to mosquitoes. In other words, the water should not be too clean, chlorinated, and so forth. The container 414 may include one or more apertures 426 to limit the amount of liquid that may accumulate in the container 414.

[0036] In addition to mosquitoes, any of the mosquito traps disclosed herein are suitable for killing plant damaging flies (e.g., the fruit fly, the apple maggot, the olive fly, the walnut husk fly, the cherry fly, the Mediterranean fruit fly, the melon fly, and the oriental fruit fly). When used to attract and kill these types of flies, the mosquito trap may include a toxic fabric having a lighter color than what would otherwise be employed to attract and kill mosquitos. Any of the mosquito traps disclosed herein may also be used to attract and kill moths. When deployed for this purpose, the toxic fabric may include an attractant (e.g., a sex pheromone) to lure moths to the trap.

[0037] Embodiments of the invention are further detailed in the examples below.

EXAMPLES

Example 1: Lethal ovitraps versus alternative oviposition sites

[0038] Mosquito traps with pieces as shown in FIG. 6 were tested against alternative oviposition sites. The trap illustrated in FIG. 6 is identical to that shown in FIG. 4 and described above. Each trap included a non-toxic plastic mesh sleeve for support of a toxic fabric or cloth. The toxic cloth was impregnated with deltamethrin at a concentration of approximately 100 mg/m². The mesh sleeve and toxic cloth were rolled to form a cylinder of 15 cm diameter and 30.5 cm height. The trap further included a plastic container (15 cm diameter and 8 cm height) filled with approximately 500 mL to 900 mL of IX bamboo leaf (8.4 g of senescent leaves per liter of well water) infusion in water and a 2-inch by 2-inch swatch of cloth impregnated with deltamethrin at a concentration of approximately 100 mg/m². The traps were placed on a roof top where they were exposed to full sun and weather elements to age them. On a weekly basis for 12 consecutive weeks, four traps were removed from the roof top and one trap was placed in the center of each of 4 walk-in cages. Each cage (4 m long by 4 m wide by 2 m tall) was constructed with a wooden frame covered with a translucent polypropylene net fabric and covered with white bed sheets with an outer layer of black plastic. Dual bulb fluorescent lights were placed in each corner of the walk-in cage, and crepuscular light was provided by a single incandescent bulb. Also placed in each of the four corners of each walk-in cage were four alternative oviposition sites. Each alternative oviposition site was a black can (1 -gallon nominal) filled with 600 mL of well water. All lethal oviposition traps and alternative oviposition sites included a strip of paper that acted as an oviposition strip. After placement of the lethal oviposition trap and alternative oviposition containers, 50 gravid Aedes aegypti gravid mosquitoes (blood-fed 4-5 days before) were transferred into each walk-in cage for 24 h. After 24 h, all mosquitoes were collected, including ones in the traps, on the floor, dead or alive. All mosquitoes were dissected, and eggs were counted. All eggs on the oviposition strips were also counted. The traps were evaluated initially and then each week afterward, another set of four traps were removed and tested, resulting in traps being aged for a total of 12 weeks.

[0039] Results of the 12-week experiment are shown in FIG. 7. As shown, the traps effectively killed mosquitoes and were stable outdoors over a 12 week period. The traps effectively diverted mosquitoes from laying eggs in alternative oviposition containers.

Example 2: Lethal oviposition traps with and without a toxic strip

[0040] Mosquito traps similar to those described in Example 1 were tested in the presence of alternative oviposition sites. Each trap included a non-toxic plastic mesh sleeve for support of a toxic cloth. The toxic cloth was impregnated with deltamethrin at a concentration of approximately 100 mg/m². The mesh sleeve and toxic cloth were rolled to form a cylinder of 15 cm diameter and 30.5 cm height. The trap further included a plastic container (15 cm diameter and 8 cm height) filled with approximately 500 mL to 900 mL of 0.5X white oak leaf infusion in water (4.2 g of senescent leaves per liter of well water), with or without a 2-inch by 2-inch swatch of mesh impregnated with deltamethrin at a

concentration of approximately 100 mg/m². The traps were placed in the middle of a walk-in cage. Each cage (4 m long by 4 m wide by 2 m tall) was constructed with a wooden frame covered with a translucent polypropylene net fabric and covered with white bed sheets with an outer layer of black plastic. Dual bulb fluorescent lights were placed in each corner of the walk-in cage, and crepuscular light was provided by a single incandescent bulb. Also placed in each of the four corners of the walk-in cage were four alternative oviposition sites. Each alternative oviposition site was a black can filled with 600 mL of well water. All traps and alternative oviposition sites included a strip of paper that acted as an oviposition strip. In each of 4 walk-in cages, 50 gravid Aedes aegypti mosquitoes (blood-fed 4-5 days before) were released into each walk-in cage for 24 h. After 24 h, all mosquitoes were collected, including ones in the traps, on the floor, dead or alive. All mosquitoes were dissected, and eggs were counted. All eggs on the oviposition strips were also counted.

[0041] Results of the experiment are shown in FIG. 8. As shown, the traps more effectively killed mosquitoes when the toxic strip was included in the plastic container with the white oak leaf infusion in water. Example 3: Lethal oviposition traps versus common backyard containers

[0042] Mosquito traps similar to those described in Example 1 were tested against common backyard containers as alternative oviposition sites. Each trap included a non-toxic plastic mesh sleeve for support of a toxic cloth. The toxic cloth was impregnated with deltamethrin at a concentration of approximately 100 mg/m². The mesh sleeve and toxic cloth were rolled to form a cylinder of 15 cm diameter and 30.5 cm height. The trap further included a plastic container (15 cm diameter and 8 cm height) filled with approximately 500 mL of 0.5X white oak leaf infusion in water (4.2 g senescent leaves per liter of water). One trap was placed in the middle of a walk-in cage. Each cage (4 m long by 4 m wide by 2 m tall) was constructed with a wooden frame covered with a translucent polypropylene net fabric and covered with white bed sheets with an outer layer of black plastic. Dual bulb fluorescent lights were placed in each corner of the walk-in cage, and crepuscular light was provided by a single incandescent bulb. Also placed on the roof top in each of the four corners of the walk-in cage were four common backyard containers as alternative oviposition sites. The alternative oviposition sites included a terra cotta plant pot and dish filled with 250 mL well water, a red plastic cup filled with 200 mL well water, a silver bowl filled with 600 mL well water, and a white plastic bin filled with 300 mL well water. All traps and alternative oviposition sites included a strip of paper that acted as an oviposition strip. 50 gravid Aedes aegypti mosquitoes (blood-fed 4 days before) were released into the walk-in cage for 24 h. After 24 h, all mosquitoes were collected, including ones in the traps, on the floor, dead or alive. All mosquitoes were dissected, and eggs were counted. All eggs on the oviposition strips were also counted.

[0043] Results of the experiment are shown in FIG. 9. As shown, the traps were more effective in diverting mosquitoes from laying eggs in common backyard containers as alternative oviposition sites than the alternative oviposition sites of Examples 1 and 2. The traps were more effective in killing mosquitoes in the presence of common backyard containers that the alternative oviposition sites of Examples 1 and 2.

Example 4: Contribution of fabric versus water for killing mosquitoes

[0044] Mosquito traps similar to those described in Example 1 were tested against alternative oviposition sites. Four types of trap were used according to Table 1. Each trap included a non-toxic plastic mesh sleeve supporting a cloth and a plastic container (15 cm diameter and 8 cm height) filled with well water and oviposition strip. Each plastic container also included a 2-inch by 2-inch swatch of mesh impregnated with deltamethrin at a concentration of approximately 100 mg/m². The mesh sleeve and cloth were rolled to form a cylinder of 15 cm diameter and 30.5 cm height. Some cloths were toxic. Some plastic containers included bamboo leaf infusion or white oak leaf infusion in addition to the toxic deltamethrin and well water.

Table 1. Components of traps tested.

[0045] The traps were placed in the middle of a walk-in cage. Each cage (4 m long by 4 m wide by 2 m tall) was constructed with a wooden frame with a translucent polypropylene net fabric and covered with white bed sheets with an outer layer of black plastic. Dual bulb fluorescent lights were placed in each corner of the walk-in cage, and crepuscular light was provided by a single incandescent bulb. Also placed in each of the four corners of the walk-in cage were four alternative oviposition sites. Each alternative oviposition site was a black can (one-gallon nominal) filled with 600 mL well water. All traps and alternative oviposition sites included a strip of paper that acted as an oviposition strip. After the lethal oviposition trap and alternative oviposition containers were placed, 50 gravid Aedes aegypti mosquitoes (blood-fed 4-5 days before) were released into each walk-in cage for 24 h. After 24 h, all mosquitoes were collected, including ones in the traps, on the floor, dead or alive. All mosquitoes were dissected, and eggs were counted. All eggs on the oviposition strips were also counted.

[0046] Results of the experiment are shown in FIG. 10, FIG. 11, and FIG. 12. As shown, the traps were more effective in killing mosquitoes when they included the toxic fabric (tower).

Example 5: Hanging trap

[0047] Mosquito traps similar to those described in Example 1 were tested against alternative oviposition sites. Each trap included a non-toxic plastic mesh sleeve for support of a toxic cloth. The toxic cloth was impregnated with deltamethrin at a concentration of approximately 100 mg/m². The mesh sleeve and toxic cloth were rolled to form a cylinder of 15 cm diameter and 30.5 cm height. The trap further included a plastic container (15 cm diameter and 8 cm height) filled with approximately 500 mL to 900 mL of 0.5X white oak leaf infusion in water (4.2 g senescent leaves per liter of water) or IX bamboo leaf infusion in water (8.4 g senescent leaves per liter of water), with a 2-inch by 2-inch swatch of mesh impregnated with deltamethrin at a concentration of approximately 100 mg/m². One trap was placed in the middle of a walk-in cage. Instead of being placed on the ground as described in the previous Examples, the traps were hung above the ground. Each cage (4 m long by 4 m wide by 2 m tall) was constructed with a wooden frame covered with a translucent polypropylene net fabric and covered with white bed sheets with an outer layer of black plastic. Dual bulb fluorescent lights were placed in each corner of the walk-in cage, and crepuscular light was provided by a single incandescent bulb. Also placed in each of the four corners of each walk-in cage were four alternative oviposition sites. Each alternative oviposition site was a black can filled with 600 mL of well water. All traps and alternative oviposition sites included a strip of paper that acted as an oviposition strip. In each of 4 walk-in cages, 50 gravid Aedes aegypti mosquitoes (blood-fed 4 days before) were released for 24 h. After 24 h, all mosquitoes were collected, including ones in the traps, on the floor, dead or alive. All mosquitoes were dissected, and eggs were counted. All eggs on the oviposition strips were also counted. The study was carried out for three weeks. [0048] Results of the experiment are shown in FIG. 13. When compared to the previous Examples, the hanging traps were just as effective in killing mosquitoes as the traps placed on the ground.

Example 6: Mosquito traps of different colors

[0049] Mosquito traps similar to those described in Example 1 were tested against alternative oviposition sites. Each trap included a non-toxic plastic mesh sleeve for support of a toxic cloth. The toxic cloth was impregnated with deltamethrin at a concentration of approximately 100 mg/m². The mesh sleeve and toxic cloth were rolled to form a cylinder or tower of 15 cm diameter and 30.5 cm height. The cylinder was green, blue, or black. The trap further included a plastic container (15 cm diameter and 8 cm height) filled with approximately 500 mL of bamboo infusion in water, (4.2 g of senescent leaves per liter of water), with a 2-inch by 2-inch swatch of mesh impregnated with deltamethrin at a concentration of approximately 100 mg/m². One trap was placed in the middle of each of 4 walk-in cages. Each cage (4 m long by 4 m wide by 2 m tall) was constructed with a wooden frame covered with a translucent polypropylene net fabric and covered with white bed sheets with an outer later of black plastic. Dual bulb fluorescent lights were placed in each corner of the walk-in cage, and crepuscular light was provided by a single incandescent bulb. Also placed in each of the four corners of each walk-in cage were four alternative oviposition sites. Each alternative oviposition site was a black can filled with 600 mL of well water. All traps and alternative oviposition sites included a strip of paper that acted as an oviposition strip. After the lethal oviposition trap and the alternative oviposition containers were placed, 50 gravid Aedes aegypti mosquitoes (blood-fed 4-5 days before) were released into the walk-in cage for 24 h. After 24 h, all mosquitoes were collected, including ones in the traps, on the floor, dead or alive. All mosquitoes were dissected, and eggs were counted. All eggs on the oviposition strips were also counted.

[0050] Results of the experiment are shown in FIG. 14. As shown, black traps were more effective in killing mosquitoes.

Example 7: Evaluation of a cover with sticky traps

[0051] Mosquito traps similar to those described in Example 1 were tested against alternative oviposition sites. Each trap included a non-toxic plastic mesh sleeve for support of a non-toxic cloth. The mesh sleeve and non-toxic cloth were rolled to form a cylinder or tower of 15 cm diameter and 30.5 cm height. The non-toxic cloth was made sticky with glue. The trap further included a plastic container (15 cm diameter and 8 cm height) filled with approximately 600 mL of well water or 600 mL of 0.5X white oak leaf infusion in water (4.2 g senescent leaves per liter of water). Some traps included a cover positioned a few inches above the top of the cylinder. The traps were placed in the middle of a walk-in cage. Each cage (4 m long by 4 m wide by 2 m tall) was constructed with a wooden frame covered with a translucent polypropylene net fabric and covered with white bed sheets with an outer layer of black plastic. Dual bulb fluorescent lights were placed in each corner of the walk-in cage, and crepuscular light was provided by a single incandescent bulb. Also placed in each of the four corners of each walk-in cage were four alternative oviposition sites. Each alternative oviposition site was a black can filled with 600 mL of well water. All traps and alternative oviposition sites included a strip of paper that acted as an oviposition strip. For 4 times, 50 gravid Aedes aegypti mosquitoes (blood-fed 5 days before) were released into each walk-in cage for 24 h. After 24 h, all mosquitoes were collected, including ones in the traps, on the floor, dead or alive. All mosquitoes were dissected, and eggs were counted. All eggs on the oviposition strips were also counted.

[0052] Results of the experiment are shown in FIG. 15, FIG. 16, and FIG. 17. As shown, the trap cover did not impede killing of mosquitoes. The trap cover did not affect the trap whether or not attractant was present in the plastic container.

Example 8: Evaluation of Oviposition Traps in a Field Trial

[0053] A field study was conducted with the lethal oviposition trap described in

Example 1. Three treatments were compared: (1) lethal oviposition traps and barrier residual adulticide spray, (2) barrier residual adulticide spray only, and (3) no oviposition trap or barrier residual adulticide spray as an untreated control. The area was assessed using non- lethal oviposition traps comprising a 1-L black plastic cup, seed germination paper, and dechlorinated tap water; C0₂-baited traps to sample host-seeking day active mosquitoes; and a large suction aspirator used to sample resting mosquitoes in vegetation.

[0054] The barrier residual adulticide spray was applied by spraying 244 oz in 211 gallons of water of 7.9% bifenthrin at 160 residences, averaging 1.53 oz per residence.

Lethal oviposition traps were placed in residential yard, with 0-11 traps placed in each yard and averaging 2.97 traps per yard. Each lethal oviposition trap was visited every two weeks, with half of the blocks visited each week. During each visit, oviposition paper was removed and replaced, the leaf infusion was replaced, and the condition of the trap was recorded. In addition, egg papers from all lethal oviposition traps were saved for later counting of eggs.

[0055] The untreated site had an overall higher oviposition rate than the site with lethal oviposition traps and spray, and the spray only site. Significantly less gravid females were collected in the site with lethal oviposition traps and spray.

[0056] Ovarian dissections were performed on non-gravid Ae. aegypti mosquitoes to determine the portion that were parous, i.e. those that had previously bloodfed. Significantly less gravid parous mosquitoes were collected in the site with lethal oviposition traps and spray as compared to the site with spray only.

[0057] Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A mosquito trap comprising:

a collapsible, flexible structure including a toxic fabric and having an open end;

a support ring attached to the open end; and

a hanger attached to the support ring.

2 The mosquito trap of claim 1 , wherein the toxic fabric includes a flexible woven material which is coated or impregnated with one or more toxic agents on at least one side thereof.

3 The mosquito trap of claim 2. wherein the toxic agent includes at least one insecticide.

4 The mosquito trap of claim 2, wherein the toxic agent includes at least one acaricide.

5 The mosquito trap of claim 1 , wherein the support ring includes a corrugated material.

6 The mosquito trap of claim 1 , wherein the hanger includes a metal wire.

7. The mosquito trap of claim 1, wherein the collapsible, flexible structure is substantially cylindrical in shape.

8. The mosquito trap of claim 1, further comprising an ovitrap disposed within the collapsible, flexible structure.

9. The mosquito trap of claim 1, further comprising an attractant semiochemical disposed within the collapsible, flexible structure.

10 The mosquito trap of claim 9, wherein the attractant semiochemical is selected from the group consisting of semiochemicals for long range attraction and semiochemicals for contact attraction.

11. A mosquito trap comprising:

a flexible structure including a toxic fabric and having an open end;

an external support structure surrounding the flexible structure and maintaining the flexible structure in a substantially cylindrical shape; and

a hanger attached to the external support structure.

12. The mosquito trap of claim 11, wherein the toxic fabric includes a flexible woven material which is coated or impregnated with one or more toxic agents on at least one side thereof.

13. The mosquito trap of claim 11, wherein the hanger includes a metal wire.

14. The mosquito trap of claim 11. wherein the toxic fabric is black.

15 The mosquito trap of claim 11, further comprising an attractant disposed within the flexible structure.

16. The mosquito trap of claim 15, wherein the attractant is selected from the group consisting of semiochemicals for long range attraction and semiochemicals for contact attraction.