The range of attraction of birds as baits for Some West African mosquitoes (Diptera, Culicidae)

Abstract

The long range orientation of West African mosquitoes to birds was studied using ramp-traps set up 3–23 m from the bait. The baits comprised chickens, ducks, pigeons and the carbon dioxide equivalent of the chickens. From the pattern of convergence of mosquitoes to the baits, it was shown that Anopheles melas Theo. and Culex thalassius Theo. were orienting to all the bird-baits from distances of at least seven metres. Responses to carbon dioxide were only apparent at a distance of three metres indicating the greater range of effect of the chickens over their carbon dioxide equivalent. Mosquitoes of the largely bird-biting C. decens group showed no long range response to any bait, even though they were entering pigeon-baited traps and to a limited extent feeding on the birds. Catches of A. melas in bird-baited traps were larger at the foot of a tall tree than in the foliage at 5·33 m; for Culex spp. the converse was true. Catches of Culex at 5·33 m outside the tree were smaller than within the foliage.