VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES, SURVEILLANCE, PREVENTION Field Responses of Anopheles gambiae Complex (Diptera: Culicidae) in Liberia using Yeast-Generated Carbon Dioxide and Synthetic Lure-Baited Light Traps

Malaria infection is a serious public health problem throughout Liberia, but vector surveillance is limitedornonexistent in remote regions of the country.Tobetter understand the spatial and temporal distribution of malaria vectors in Liberia and to support vector and malaria activities of the LiberianMinistry of Health, a study was conducted to determine the efÞcacy of light traps baited with a synthetic lure and CO2 for capturing Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (Giles). Traps with a ultraviolet, light-emitting diode, and incandescent lights baited with a synthetic skin lure and CO2 combinations were evaluated at four Þeld sites in three counties of Liberia for Þve consecutive nights every 8 wk during 2011. In total, 4,788 mosquitoes representing 56 species from nine genera were collected throughout the 30-wk study; An. gambiae s. l. comprised 32% and of the148 An. gambiae s. s. collected, 85% were of the S form. A greater percentage of An. gambiae s. l. were collected in ultraviolet traps baitedwith a synthetic lure andCO2 comparedwith any other trap conÞguration. The inßuence of trap conÞguration on conclusions from surveillance efforts, speciÞcally with regards to An. gambiae is discussed.