I set out to find the best way to collect bloodfed mosquitoes 🩸

Why collect bloodfed mosquitoes?

We use bloodfed mosquitoes to observe mosquito feeding patterns. For example, do they feed on birds or mammals?

And crucially . . . do they feed on humans?

A mosquito that feeds on both wild animals and humans could transmit a virus from the infected wild host to us!!

Therefore, each bloodfed mosquito is crucial. They provide direct evidence of a vector-host interaction and help us piece together the transmission cycles of mosquito borne diseases.

Why is it so hard to collect bloodfed mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes with a belly full of blood don’t fly into traditional light traps. Dang!

Instead they look for a quite place to rest and digest their bloodmeal, such as a tree hallow, tall grass, or small hole. These locations are hard to access. The bloodfed mosquitoes could be anywhere!

Then how do we collect bloodfeds?

In my research, I tested several methods to see which one is the most effective.

a) Direct aspiration of vegetation

I built a homemade aspirator and would use this to suck up mosquitoes from vegetation. I had the most success in humid, dense, tall vegetation growing in damp soil or on the edge of ponds.

Watch how it’s done! 🎥

b) I also created artifical resting shelters.

In the hope that bloodfed mosquitoes would choose to rest inside these shelters.

I tested large rubbish bins and felt bags hung from trees.

I compared how well these artificial resting shelters performed against aspiration.