Description
Reiter Cummings Inspired Gravid Traps
The device used trapping gravid mosquitoes was originally conceived by P. Reiter (Mosquito News, 43:496-498), with design improvements made by R. Cummings for BioQuip Products. Here at Ecology Supplies, we have since innovated their design to make it more accessible and easier to use. The trap is designed to attract and capture gravid female mosquitoes of a target species while remaining unharmed.
The attractant is a baited water solution, either collected locally or formulated to simulate water found in the natural habitat. As gravid females approach the water to deposit eggs, they are pulled upward into a collecting container housed in the upper compartment. This container is removable for inspection or processing of specimens.
The trap consists of two basic parts. The upper part contains the fan, batteries, the collecting duct, and the specimen collection chamber. The lower part serves as the attractant container as well as support for the upper part.
The upper compartment is a heavy duty rain-tight plastic case with carry handle, latch and hinges. It is 16-1/2 x 8-1/4 x 6-1/2″ high (42 x 21 x 16.5 cm). The permanently mounted horizontal fan supplies negative air pressure inside the case. The fan can be powered by USB or by 6 volt battery. Recommended to be set near sun down and retrieved around dawn.
The upper chamber also houses a reversible vertical duct which functions as the mosquito pickup after being extended to about one inch above the water surface. A collecting chamber with screened top and drawstring closure rests on the upper end of the vertical intake duct. By purchasing additional chambers, specimens collected the prior night can be taken to the lab and held for processing without the need for transferring to another container.
Collecting Chamber
Vertical Intake Collecting Duct
The lower part of the trap, a heavy duty black plastic tray, 20-1/2 x 15 x 5″ high (20 x 38 x 12.7 cm), serves as container for the attractant solution and as mounting for the upper trap section. This gravid mosquito trap is an easily portable, compact unit with nesting parts.
The use of a USB Battery allows for quicker recharging and lighter designs.
Reiter Cummings Inspired Gravid Traps for mosquito collection is recommend and used by many states in the USA, for more information about collecting with this trap check out the North East Massachusetts Mosquito Control’s Article on Gravid Trap for Adult Mosquito Surveillance
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