A novel, small, lightweight dry chemical carbon dioxide generating source has been developed for use in remote areas where dry ice or compressed carbon dioxide gas cannot be utilized. InsectagatorTM (ICA TriNova) is non-toxic, small (8.7 x 18 x 0.4 cm), and lightweight (33 gm [1.2 oz]), similar to ~ 8 small tea bags. When the two types of granular materials are mixed inside the sachet, carbon dioxide is generated for ~ 24 hrs. For lab studies, 2 Insectagator sachets were used per light trap (trial). Though the carbon dioxide generation rate (20 ml/min) is low, the Insectagators were efficacious in attracting 82.1 ± 17.95 % (mean and standard deviation; n=387 laboratory reared Aedes aegypti, 8 trials) when the Insectagators were activated and attached to a New Standard Miniature Light Trap (J.W. Hock) for 60 min in a 1.8 x 1.8 x 1.8 m (6 x 6 x 6 ft) screened cage. The cage was housed in an environmental chamber (27o C, 80% RH). A light trap without carbon dioxide caught 0/50 Ae. aegypti released. When Insectagators were activated for 30 minutes in a similar test with Ae. aegypti, 79.0 ± 7.96% of 119 mosquitoes (3 trials) were caught. Insectagators were also efficacious in trapping Anopheles stephensi.
Field trapping comparisons using Insectagator, dry ice, and no attractant attached to light traps in wooded habitats at WRAIR (Silver Spring, MD) and Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (Laurel, MD) will be discussed.
Species 1: Diptera Culicidae Aedes aegypti (yellow fever mosquito)
Species 2: Diptera Culicidae Anopheles stephensi
Keywords: Carbon dioxide, mosquito trapping
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