Aedes albopictus Surveillance Method
Surveillance methods are used to understand local mosquito populations, by estimating abundance, and pathogen incidence. Active surveillance needs to be utilized to identify and control Ae. albopictus mosquitoes.
Active surveillance uses multiple techniques such as trapping mosquitoes, counting trapped mosquitoes to obtain population estimates, testing trapped mosquitoes for disease, identification of potential breeding sources. When trapping adult mosquitoes, it is important to identify the species of concern to reduce costs of testing. Ae albopictus is generally not caught in traditional mosquito traps, such as gravid and light traps. The following are current methods for Ae albopictus active surveillance that meet necessary standards: ovitraps, immature stage (larvae and pupae) surveys, adult mosquito trapping: BG-Sentinel trap, gravid female traps, and mechanical aspirators. These methods will help to identify areas with higher mosquito activity and where subsequent control efforts should be focused.
For more information about these techniques, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/pdfs/Surveillance-and-Control-of-Aedes-aegypti-and-Aedes-albopictus-US.pdf
Photos courtesy of CDCAdditional Links:
https://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/pdfs/Surveillance-and-Control-of-Aedes-aegypti-and-Aedes-albopictus-US.pdf