Balestrino F, D P Iyaloo, K B Elahee, A Bheecarry, F Campedelli, M Carrieri, R Bellini
Acta Tropica: 164 (2016) 448–454
Aedes albopictus (Skuse) is one of the most invasive mosquito species capable of transmitting variousharmful pathogens to humans. Failure of vector control strategies against this species requires the devel-opment of new effective vector control methods. Among the alternative genetic control measures underdevelopment, the sterile insect technique (SIT) is today receiving a renewed interest as a possible effectivetool to be integrated in an area-wide pest management approach. The monitoring of the abundance, dis-tribution, movements and ratio of released sterile and wild fertile males is a fundamental requirement forthe successful management of any pest control activities integrating an SIT component. Although severaltraps exist for adult female mosquito surveillance and population control, effective methods to moni-tor large quantities of non-biting males were less researched in the past and more difficult to obtain.In this study we analyzed the response of A. albopictus males to various sound stimuli produced withdifferent volumes and frequencies in association with visual cues for the optimization of male catches.The production of modulated frequencies continuously varying within the typical female sound emissionrange (500–650 Hz) showed the best results for a sound pressure level between 75 and 79 dB measuredat the speaker level. The black color of the trap, however, seems decisive to attract males in the vicinity ofsound traps and the combined effect produced by these stimuli is additive. We also observed that malesincrease their response to acoustic stimulation up to 4 days of age and then show a continuous and pro-gressive decline of their sound responsiveness. A plastic sound trap prototype capable of producing themost effective sound stimuli tested at laboratory conditions showed a good A. albopictus males’ attrac-tiveness in the field despite a reduced use of color stimuli. The use of sound stimuli therefore appears tobe a promising prospect to increase the capture rate of A. albopictus males in new or in already existingmosquito traps.
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