Definition of productive Aedes notoscriptus (Diptera: Culicidae) habitats in western Brisbane, and a strategy for their control

From 1995 to 1997, the larval habitats, seasonal abundance and behaviour of Aedes notoscriptus (Skuse) were studied in five western suburbs of Brisbane, south-east Queensland. At one suburb, Ae. notoscriptus immatures were found in 61.1% and 47.3% of premises, during winter and summer, respectively. Natural habitats, mainly bromeliad axils, garden accoutrements and discarded items accounted for 86% and 81% of infested containers in summer and winter, respectively. However, when larval productivity was accounted for, discarded household items and garden accoutrements were the most important container types. The Premise Condition Index (house condition, garden condition, shade cover) did not positively relate to the presence of Ae. notoscriptus larvae, nor to numbers of infested containers per premise. Similarly, the presence of inbuilt garden sprinkler systems could not be used as an indicator to predict premises that would be positive for Ae. notoscriptus immatures. The number of adult Ae. notoscriptus (21.3% of total) collected using light traps was second to the number of Culex annulirostris (Skuse) (48.9%) collected. These traps were unsuitable for monitoring Ae. notoscriptus during autumn and winter when Ae. notoscriptis activity shifted to the afternoon, and when traps were not operating. In terms of targeted approaches to control Ae. notoscriptus immatures, rubbish collection campaigns undertaken before the wet season should be focused on the removal of discarded household items, rubbish and tyres. Specific health education messages should be used to inform householders of the need to regularly clean or remove pot plant bases and bird baths. If effective, these methods could reduce Ae. notoscriptus larval densities by 70% and 80% during summer and winter months, respectively.