Emergence trapping of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in brackish forest habitats in Maroochy Shire, south-east Queensland, Australia, and a management option for Verrallina funerea (Theobald) and Aedes procax (Skuse)

This study details the use of emergence traps with sticky adhesive to capture adult mosquitoes emerging from brackish water pools located in almost impenetrable swamp oak and tea-tree forests in Maroochy Shire, south-eastern Queensland. Twenty emergence traps were set weekly for 12 weeks between March and June 1998. during which time a total of 825 adult mosquitoes were collected. Aenes procax (Skuse) (55%) was the most abundant species, followed by Verrallina funerea (Theobald) (16%) and Culex halifaxii Theobald (9%). Emergence of Ve.. funerea was greatest after tidal inundation of pools with brackish water, whereas Ae. procax emerged in greatest numbers following heavy rainfall. As there are significant areas of swamp oak and tea-tree forest in Maroochy Shire and an increasing pressure for urbanisation in adjacent areas, the aerial application of persistent s-methoprene formulations is considered the most appropriate option for control.