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■Bio-mathematics, Statistics and Nano-Technologies: Mosquito Control Strategies

Figure 4.7: Human landing catch method, and mosquito catching into the vial.

4.12.2

Human landing catch (collection)

Landing counts on humans are useful for determining population densities of anthro-

pophagic (human biting) mosquitos that are not attracted to light traps and for rapid checks

of mosquito populations (Figure 4.7). The use of this method is recommended when com-

plaints or suspicions are not corroborating by light trap collections. This survey technique

establishes an index or landing rate by counting the number of mosquitos landing on the

collector during a specific period of time. However, landing count surveillance is time

intensive, inconvenient and difficult to standardize (WHO 1992). This technique may in-

crease the exposure of survey personnel to disease. Therefore, during a mosquito-borne

disease outbreak, survey personnel must use personal protective measures, such as wear-

ing head nets and rolling down sleeves, but do not use repellents. All survey personnel

should be on any chemoprophylaxis recommended in the area being sampled.

If a mosquito-borne disease is present for which no vaccine, chemoprophylaxis or treat-

ment is available (e.g., many viral diseases), this sampling technique should not be used

(WHO 2002). This method has to leave the legs or arms bare or undressed in order that

female mosquitos to approach to the human body alight to the leg or arm, but not allowing

them to bite. Then a 50 × 19 mm glass vials could be used to catch them inside, after that

a piece of cotton pad is used to plug in the vials. The HLC method could be used even by

groups of people or volunteers in different habitats and recreational places for human.

4.12.2.1

Resting catch

Torch lights are used during the night to see and collect for the female and male

mosquitos (Figure 4.7). They can be hidden in the tree leafs, tree branches, tree holes,