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4th
October 2005 14:04
From: Nurhidayah ALIAS [Nurhidayah_ALIAS@mcys.gov.sg] on
behalf of MCYS Feedback Unit [Feedback_UNIT@mcys.gov.sg]
Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2005 9:02 AM
To: Annie THEN; Jacqueline SEE
Cc: sohibo@pacific.net.sg
Subject: Re: FB200510/0040 Outwit The Female Mosquito
QSM, NEA
The feedback below is forwarded for your information, please.
Thank you.
(Transmitted via Lotus Notes)
LIM PEI YEE
EXECUTIVE OFFICER (FEEDBACK UNIT)
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"sohibo" <sohibo@pacific.net.sg>
To: MCYS Feedback Unit/MCYS/SINGOV@SINGOV, <news@newstoday.com.sg>,
<stforum@sph.com.sg>, <news5@mediacorpnews.com>, "All Contacts"
<sohibo@pacific.net.sg> 04/10/2005 14:04
cc:
Subject: Outwit The Female Mosquito
Dear Sir/Madam,
Kindly direct the following to relevant parties who might be interested. A brief
description on observation.
With the interest of public health, I conducted a simple experiment with the resources
and materials available to to me to study how best to trap the female mosquito. In the
attempt to stem the dengue spread, trapping the female mosquitoes is a better and
sure method than trapping the mosquito larvae. In my opinion, the female mosquito
should be the target focus. Why catch the larvae and allow the female mosquito to lay
eggs elsewhere?
Observation
Choice of Water to Lay Eggs
In choosing water to lay their eggs, the female mosquito likes rain water, preferably
taken from the pond. I set up 4 containers with salt water, tap water, pure rain water
(collected direct from rain) and pond water respectively. During the study, it was
observed that 4 out of 5 mosquitoes that arrived to lay their eggs, chose the container
with pond water. My observation is that there are planktons and minerals present
which attracted them.
Note: All eggs and larvae from the study were destroyed.
Photo: Containers used to contain different types of water
Habit of Laying Eggs
Before the mosquito lays eggs, it flies to the water and "bounces" on the surface of the
water. It appears to be testing if the water is for suitable for breeding. If found suitable,
the mosquito does not lay on any spot of the water but flies towards the side of the
container, attaches itself to the edge above the water surface and lays its eggs.
Thereafter, it flies upwards along the wall to leave the breeding site. The phenomenon
of flying upwards along the waters edge to leave was observed for 100% of mosquitoes
in my observation.
Method to trap the Female Mosquito
This habit of flight of the mosquito can be used to our advantage in our bid to trap the
mosquito and kill it.
DIAGRAM: Shows the cross section of "Mosquito Trap"
TRAP: Prototype
The above prototype trap was designed to trap the mosquito after it lays eggs. The
mosquitoes were drawn to the pond water, entered the trap, tested the water quality by
bouncing on the surface before flying to the sides of the trap to lay their eggs. After
the eggs were laid, they flew upwards along the walls but were trapped by the cover
of the trap. The only exit is through the entrance they came in by. Keeping the entrance
only 10mm above the water surface ensured that the mosquitoes had difficulty finding
their way out of the trap. Their flight habit of flying upwards along the walls to escape
traps them in this prototype trap.
In my observation, all mosquitoes drawn into the trap, none managed to escape.
They seem to be unable to sense the direction of entry.
Note: All mosquitoes, eggs and larvae from the experiment were destroyed.
From my observation I noticed that:-
1. The mosquito is equipped with sensors to detect temperature, water, danger and others
to ensure its survival.
2. Colour of container does not matter to the mosquito. (as reported in the news, the
lamp cover found on top of the car park.)
3. The female mosquito prefers the edge of water for laying its eggs.
4. Flying off upwards from the place after laying eggs.
Photos and diagram also attached
Willie Si (96854271)
Serangoon North Ave 1
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