Influence of vegetation on carbon dioxide trap effectiveness for sampling mosquitoes in the Sierra Nevada foothills of Kern County, California.

The effect of vegetation on sampling Culex tarsalis, Cx. quinquefasciatus and Aedes nigromaculis by CO2 traps was evaluated at an intermittent stream habitat at the base of the Sierra Nevada foothills. Carbon dioxide traps were spaced along a 450 m transect perpendicular to Poso Creek to determine female attraction to traps placed in 5 different vegetation substrates: 1) open hilltop with sparse growth of grasses and saltbush, 2) open pasture with sparse growth of saltbush, 3) peripheral understory of mule fat, 4) shaded understory of mule fat, and 5) open canopy 5 m above ground in willow and cottonwood trees. Most host-seeking Cx. tarsalis and Cx. quinquefasciatus females were collected within the open canopy and peripheral understory. Host-seeking Ae. nigromaculis females were collected predominately in the open pasture and within the peripheral understory. The association between CO2 trap catch size and vegetation suggested a relationship between the host-feeding patterns and associated hunting strategies of these bird and mammal feeding species.