Asian Tiger Mosquitoes

Mega-Catch Mosquito Traps Attract Asian Tiger Mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus)

Mega-Catch™ mosquito traps were developed after an extensive worldwide testing program. One of our primary objectives was to develop a trap which would attract and capture the Asian Tiger mosquito which is a voracious daytime biter.

There are over 3500 different species of mosquitoes but it is the Asian Tiger which is regarded as the most invasive mosquito species in the world.  It is medically significant because of its aggressive daytime human-biting behavior and ability to transmit debilitating, even deadly diseases with a single bite.  In laboratory settings it has been found to be a successful vector of over 30 arboviruses including Dengue fever, Encephalitis, Chikungunya and West Nile virus - a serious, life-altering and even fatal disease.

We engaged Professor Yap Han Heng from the Vector Control Research Unit, School of Biological Sciences, University Sains Malaysia to advise on and test Mega-Catch™ trap designs in South East Asia. Tests that he carried out in a reserve forest at Minden Campus, University Sains Malaysia in the Penang Island in June 2000 caused him to conclude that Mega-Catch™ was effective against the Asian Tiger mosquito in outdoor conditions in tropical environments.

Unlike conventional mosquito traps which rely on various chemicals to attract mosquitoes, Mega-Catch™ traps employ a range of visual stimuli to attract mosquitoes. This is particularly important in the case of daytime biters like the Asian Tiger mosquito which rely more on visual cues, and less on chemical cues, to find their hosts.

However, the new patent pending Mega-Catch™ 3000 combo lure has been designed to enhance trap performance and to provide even better capture rates of targeted mosquito species like the Asian Tiger.  The combination lure incorporates synthetic Octenol, lactic acid and other ingredients specifically formulated then blended to attract the Asian Tiger mosquito and other nuisance mosquitoes, sand flies, black flies and biting midges (no-see-ums).

Research conducted using traps baited with a combination of Octenol and lactic acid, has reported the capture of various mosquito species including the Asian Tiger, was TWO to THREE times greater than traps baited with Octenol alone.

"We feel that you can use attractants in a trapping strategy to divert mosquitoes away from biting people," says USDA entomologist Dr Daniel Kline.  "If you can keep them from biting people you can stop the disease transmission". (Seed Magazine, June 15, 2009)

Mega-Catch™ traps come fully assembled – simply install, connect to power, switch on and let Mega-Catch™ go to work.