Studies on the ovitraps baited with hay and leaf infusions for the surveillance of dengue vector, Aedes albopictus in northeastern India

Ovitraps baited with hay and leaf infusions were evaluated for enhancing the oviposition response of gravid females of the dengue vector Aedes albopictus. The egg density per trap (mean +/- SEmean) was the highest with 30% infusions of Pennisetum grass hay (623.6 +/- 41) and rice straw (580 +/- 51.3), which corresponded to oviposition activity index (OAI) of 0.62. Infusions (5-50%) of mango and banana leaves with OAI ranging from -0.36 to 0.39 were not observed to enhance the oviposition response significantly over control. Rice straw and Pennisetum grass hay are available round the year in northeastern India and the use of these infusions can be a cost effective way to augment the ovitrap surveillance of dengue vectors.