Résumé
Within mosquito species of public health importance, Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus are among the most important due to their extensive areas of presence throughout the world and their ability to transmit major human arboviruses, as well as being a major source of nuisance. Apart from using insecticides against these vectors (and its disadvantages: resistance phenomenon, hard to reach breeding sites), the only method used to reduce their abundance is communication and social mobilisation. The VECTRAP project aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness, feasibility and sustainability of mass trapping against both species in 3 geographical areas (Mediterranean France, Alpine France, and the tropical island of Martinique) by using gravid Aedes trap (BG-GAT® trap from Biogents). During 3 years from 2021 to 2023, the effectiveness of 3 phases were assessed: Trapping only in year 1; Trapping and door-to-door breeding sites suppression in year 2; autonomy of the strategy (traps managed by inhabitants) in year 3. The entomological monitoring consisted in fortnightly captures using BG-Sentinel® traps in intervention and control areas, and a sociological survey was carried out focusing on the behaviour and perception of the residents from intervention and control areas. Our results tend to show that the use of gravid Aedes traps has an effect when this strategy is combined with door-to-door and control of breeding sites. In addition, a regular monitoring of the passive gravid traps seems essential to guarantee the trapping network efficiency. The ultimate goal of the project, implemented for 3 years, is to demonstrate the effectiveness of this mass trapping method and identify key factors that could maximise the adult mosquito population reduction, in order to provide recommendations to municipalities. Potential factors that could explain the observed efficiency variability among sites will be discussed.