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Student Poster Display

Medical, Urban, and Veterinary Entomology

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Student Competition

Undergrad Poster Competition: MUVE, Forensic, Medical, and Veterinary Entomology and Vector Biology and Management

D3175: Assessment of the efficacy of ovillanta tire traps for mosquito control in forest habitats and residential neighborhoods

Monday, November 11, 2024
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM MST
Location: Phoenix Convention Center, Exhibit Hall 6, PCC
Poster Display Student Competition
Discarded tires are effective environments for female mosquitoes to lay their eggs and for the resulting larvae to develop due to housing nutrient-rich water and providing shelter for developing larvae. The most effective way to control mosquito-borne diseases is through controlling the mosquitoes themselves. The goal of this experiment was to determine if Ovillanta traps, an inexpensive mosquito trap created from used, discarded tires, can be implemented for mosquito control. Ovillanta traps were made by cutting tires into quarters and placing one quarter into another, having the bottom as a well for standing water and another quarter on top creating a protective covering for the habitat. At each of five field sites, one Ovillanta trap was placed one meter from a pile of three discarded tires to determine if the Ovillanta traps are attractive to ovipositing female mosquitoes. Mosquito larvae and pupae were collected from all tires and Ovillanta traps weekly for twelve weeks and identified to species. Previous results of this experiment yielded 9,786 mosquitoes collected with 5,809 from the Ovillanta traps and 3,977 from the discarded tires. This study is being repeated for a second summer field season to provide more robust data on the efficacy of the Ovillanta traps. Additionally, a citizen science project is being conducted to determine the effectiveness of these traps in residential yards. The results of this study will help determine if Ovillanta traps are suitable for use in mosquito control efforts.