Differences in trap-finding behaviour of two populations of Austrosimulium bancrofti (Taylor) (Diptera: Simuliidae) in eastern Australia

Abstract

Three carbon dioxide baited silhouette traps of different shape and an animal-baited trap were used to evaluate trap- and host-finding behaviour of Austrosimulium bancrofti (Taylor) at two locations in eastern Australia. Highly significant effects influencing silhouette-trap-finding were incorporated into models that generated estimates of the numbers of flies captured under defined conditions. Estimates indicated that the effects of trap shape, hour after sunrise, experimental day, temperature, and wind speed differed at each location. Acclimation to local environmental conditions may explain differences in the silhouette trapping data, but the effects of trap shape and perhaps time of day were more difficult to explain. Austrosimulium bancrofti were attracted to bovines at both locations, whereas humans, bandicoots, and chickens were not attractive. It will be necessary to test a wider range of bait species before the host preferences of A. bancrofti at these locations can be determined.