GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – University of Florida (UF) scientists are conducting research to find ways to lure in mosquitoes by using certain scents in attempts to develop a better surveillance system for invasive mosquitoes.
The University of Florida’s Institution of Food and Agriculture Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers will spend the next two years developing a low-cost trap to attract mosquitoes. They’ll use their research to enhance a web-based dashboard in efforts to improve the surveillance of invasive species throughout the Southeast. This digital dashboard will promote data sharing and communication between states where these non-native species and invasive species have been found.
According to UF, Yoosook Lee and Lindsay Campbell, both professors at university, received over $295,000 in a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and are the co-principal investigators of the project. They’ll collaborate with Brian Byrd of Western Carolina University, according to the university.
The new trap, modified from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) original light trap will include mosquito-luring scents and heat.
“The goal is to attract more mosquito species to the trap to improve invasive mosquito surveillance. Some of the scents include commonly used carbon dioxide to attract a broad range of mosquito species and a human lure that mimics body odor,” said Campbell.
They expect their project to aid in reducing possible human health/safety risks and say it aligns with the USDA National Integrated Pest Management Roadmap.
According to the university, ever year, the state of Florida is challenged with diseases transmitted by mosquitos including dengue virus, West Nile virus, eastern equine encephalitis virus, and chikungunya virus.
With the Sunshine State being close to the tropics, this makes it easier for invasive species to make their way to Florida, raising concerns for scientists/researchers, shared the university.
“As many as 17 non-native mosquito species are established in the state. Researchers stress that the detections of non-native mosquito species are increasingly frequent, with 11 of 17 non-native species first reported in the past two decades, and six of these 17 detected in only the past five years,” said UF/IFAS.
They believe their new project will help bring improvements.
“Combining efficient trap collections with digital technologies, such as dashboard mapping and analysis tools, will improve communication among the states and help to target surveillance and control activities while providing a framework for an effective integrated pest management approach,” said Campbell.