Optimized Off-the-shelf Portable Trap for Haematophagous Arthropods

Blood-sucking or haematophagous arthropods such as mosquitoes, ticks, and sandflies act as vectors of some extremely deadly and debilitating diseases such as malaria, dengue, yellow fever, sandfly fever, Japanese encephalitis, Q-fever, and tularemia. Thecurrent kit used by preventative medical teams contains a light trap based on design developed in 1962. Many mosquito species cannot be monitored by light traps. Samples collected are frequently inadequate to assess human health risk. While light trapsshow more success when supplemented with carbon dioxide, usual methods for CO2 baiting - bottled gas or dry ice - lack of universal availability and create heavy logistical demands. UTD proposes a design concept that emphasizes portability, storability,and ease of use. It will use a combination of attractants including CO2, heat, moisture, UV and white light, and selected synthetic scents. The trap will require no batteries, and will function on a variety of logistic fuels including JP8. UTD brings awealth of experience in the application of design analysis, simulation, and innovative engineering prototyping to this problem. We have assembled a talented development team and have secured the services of a medial entomologist who is experienced in bothacademic research and military applications of vector surveillance.