Efficacies of the mosquitomagnet and counterflow geometry traps in North Queensland, Australia.

We conducted three trials near Cairns, Australia, to compare the numbers of mosquitoes collected with the standard Encephalitis Vector Surveillance (EVS) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) light traps with the new MosquitoMagnet (MM) and counterflow geometry (CFG) traps with the use of a 4 x 4 latin square experimental design. The MM was generally equal to the performance of the CDC and CFG traps, ranking ahead of or equal to one or both traps in 2 of 3 trials, although there were no significant differences in the performances of the MM, CDC, and CFG traps. The EVS trap ranked last in all trials. The MM, being self powered and self baited via combustion of propane for up to 20 days without requiring a propane refill, would be suitable for collection of adult mosquitoes in remote areas that do not have access to dry ice.