Neutrophils release DNA-based extracellular traps to capture and kill bacteria. The mechanism(s) and proteins that promote neutrophil extracellular trap (NET)-mediated bacterial trapping are not clearly established. Surfactant protein D (SP-D) is an innate immune collectin present in many mucosal surfaces. We hypothesized that SP-D can bind both the pathogens and NETs to augment NET-mediated ba...

We compared 6 adult mosquito traps for effectiveness in collecting Aedes albopictus from suburban backyards with the goal of finding a more suitable surveillance replacement for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) light trap. Trap selection included 2 commercial propane traps (Mosquito Magnet Professional trap and Mosquito Magnet Liberty trap), 2 Aedes-specific traps (Fay-Princ...

In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of eleven commercial models of propane combustion traps for catching male and female Phlebotomus papatasi. The traps differed in physical appearance, amount of carbon dioxide produced and released, type and location of capturing device, and the method by which the trap suction fans were powered. The traps tested were the Mosquito MagnetTM(MM)-Pro, MM-Lib...

Tribolium castaneum and Tribolium confusum can be monitored in food processing facilities using traps baited with pheromones and kairomones, but beetle response to traps might be enhanced by adding visual cues. Against a white background, T. castaneum adults were more likely to visit black pillars than white pillars when presented with a choice (e.g., 73% of beetles visited black and 17% visiti...

In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of eleven commercial models of propane combustion traps for catching male and female Phlebotomus papatasi. The traps differed in physical appearance, amount of carbon dioxide produced and released, type and location of capturing device, and the method by which the trap suction fans were powered. The traps tested were the Mosquito Magnet™(MM)-Pro, MM-Libe...

Traps that use ultraviolet light as an attractant for flies are widely used in urban situations. To determine the differences in trap efficacy from design and lighting, pairs of traps were compared under laboratory conditions. Comparisons were made between traps with open fronts and with traps with restricted open fronts, black light bulbs, and black light blue bulbs, and glue boards with and w...

The impact of the attractants l-octen-3-ol (octenol) and L-lactic acid (LurexTM) on collection of Aedes albopictus in suburban backyards was assessed in Mosquito Magnet Pro traps. These carbon dioxide-producing traps were additionally baited with commercial formulated lures with octenol, lactic acid, octenol + lactic acid, or no attractant (control) and evaluated in 4 residential sites. Three r...

—Derelict (abandoned or lost) traps targeting blue crab Callinectes sapidus have the potential to affect the blue crab fishery and other marine-oriented species. We used sidescan sonar to locate derelict traps and assess their extent and accumulation rate. Experimental traps were monitored at four locations to calculate catch rates of marine organisms and trap degradation rates. In 2006, 635–67...

When an animal settles preferentially in a habitat within which it does poorly relative to other available habitats, it is said to have been caught in an ‘‘ecological trap.’’ Although the theoretical possibility that animals may be so trapped is widely recognized, the absence of a clear mechanistic understanding of what constitutes a trap means that much of the literature cited as support for t...

Five trapping methods were compared for monitoring potential vectors of the West Nile virus in four areas in the Camargue Plain of France: carbon dioxide traps, bird-baited traps, gravid traps, resting boxes, and human landing catches. A total of 73,721 specimens, representing 14 species, was trapped in 2006. Results showed significant differences in species and abundance between the type of tr...