FIELD-EVALUATION OF COLORED LIGHT-EMITTING-DIODES AS ATTRACTANTS FOR WOODLAND MOSQUITOS AND OTHER DIPTERA IN NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA

The attraction of mosquitoes to transmitted light from colored super-b right light-emitting diodes (LEDs) (100-nm bandwidth) was evaluated by comparison of capture numbers with and without carbon dioxide-baited (200 ml/min) Centers for Disease Control (CDC) traps. Traps with eithe r colored LEDs or control lights were arranged in Latin square designs at 2 north central Florida woodland locations and checked daily durin g July and August 1996. When data were analyzed by species, a signific ant difference in attractivity of lights was found in some species. Ae des atlanticus, Aedes dupreei, Aedes infirmatus, Anopheles crucians s. l., Culiseta melanura, Culex nigripalpus, Psorophora columbiae, and Ur anotaenia sapphirina showed significant color preferences. These resul ts will have potential for use by ecologists, epidemiologists, and mos quito control personnel for improving collection efficiency of certain species of mosquitoes.