Field evaluation of a novel synthetic odour blend and of the synergistic role of carbon dioxide for sampling host-seeking XXXX adults in Rome, Italy.

@entity375 @entity277 @entity515 @entity197 @entity311 @entity36727
UNASSIGNED: BackgroundDespite the expanding worldwide distribution of @entity197 and its increasing relevance as arboviral vector, current methods to collect adult specimens are not optimal. Improved approaches are thus needed to monitor their density and pathogen infections, and to establish baseline data for control interventions. A widely used device is the BG-Sentinel (BG-trap) which mostly targets host-seeking females attracted by release of @entity515 and/or a synthetic odour blend (the BG lure). We compared the attractiveness of this blend to that of the Mbita ( @entity36727 ) lure, a new synthetic blend of proven efficiency in attracting @entity311 vectors, and evaluated the additional effect of @entity515 to the two odour baits.FindingsWe carried out 6x6 Latin square experiments in two Ae. @entity277 areas in Rome, baiting the BG-traps as follows: @entity515 , BG lure, @entity36727 lure, BG lure  +  @entity515 , @entity36727 lure  +  @entity515 , no bait. @entity515 was derived from @entity375 -fermented sugar. Overall, 949 females and 816 males were collected. Baited traps collected significantly more females than unbaited ones. Traps baited with either lures in combination with @entity515 were more effective than those baited with @entity515 alone. No significant differences were observed in female captures between traps baited with any of the two lures, nor between the two lures, independently from the addition of @entity515 . The use of BG lure  +  @entity515 significantly increased males catches compared to unbaited traps.ConclusionsThe results suggest a broad significance of the @entity36727 lure for sampling medically important mosquito species and highlight the high efficacy of the combination of lures  +  @entity515 for female Ae. albopictus and of BG lure  +  @entity515 for males, leading to consider @entity515 as an essential additional cue for the sampling of this species.
