Comparison of the efficacy of different traps and attractants for Tabanidae and Stomoxys in Mali

The relative attractiveness of biconical, cubical (F3), pyramidal and Vavoua traps used with or without attractants (acetone/1-octen-3-ol, acetone/1-octen-3-ol/meta-cresol, 1-octen-3-ol/meta-cresol and acetone/1-octen-3-ol/cow urine) to Tabanidae and Stomoxys was investigated in Mali. In woody savanna, cubical, Vavoua and pyramidal traps attracted 6.4-, 5.9- and 4.2-fold more Tabanidae, respectively, than biconical traps. Vavoua traps were most efficient against Stomoxys and trapped 15.6-fold more than cubical traps, 15.4-fold more than biconical traps and 6.2-fold more than pyramidal traps. In gallery forest, cubical traps attracted 2.0-fold more Tabanidae than pyramidal traps and 4.4-fold more than biconical traps. Vavoua traps were 3-fold more efficient against Tabanidae than biconical traps and caught 2.4-, 3.2- and 12.2-fold more Stomoxys, respectively, than cubical, pyramidal and biconical traps. Tabanidae were more attracted by acetone/1-octen-3-ol/cow urine, acetone/1-octen-3-ol/meta cresol and 1-octen-3-ol/meta-cresol. In woody savanna, Stomoxys was more attracted by acetone/1-octen-3-ol/meta-cresol and 1-octen-3-ol/meta-cresol; in gallery forest it was more attracted by acetone/1-octen-3-ol and acetone/1-octen-3-ol/cow urine. It was concluded that Vavoua traps are very attractive for both tsetse flies and Stomoxys and they are recommended for trypanosomiasis vector control.