Surveillance of dengue vector Aedes aegypti using infusion baited ovitraps at Ernakulam in Kerala, South India

Abstract

We used ovitraps, to monitor Aedes aegypti at Ernakulam district in Kerala, South India in 2017-18. The average proportion of ovitraps with mosquitoes – the ovitrap positivity index (OPI) and the Egg density index (EDI) were 96.3 and 29.41 respectively. This study provides the reason for the optimization of ovitraps as monitoring tools for Aedes sp.; supporting the use of infusion baited ovitraps with cumin seeds and sugar and specific coloured containers to increase the attractiveness of adult mosquito females to lay eggs. Our survey also indicated that air temperature and precipitation are related to an increase in egg count in ovitraps. Due to the direct impacts on offspring survival and development, the choice of oviposition site by mosquitoes should be considered while designing vector control programs.