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Blackwell Report - Press & Scientific Reports

Mosquito Magnet Reference - Dr Alison Blackwell, Edinburgh University

We have been experimenting with the Mosquito Magnet in Scotland for several years, as part of our biting midge research programme. Biting Midges can cause extreme disruption to outdoor activities during the summertime over vast areas of the Highlands of Scotland. These activities include agriculture, forestry and of course tourism. Although not transmitting disease, the biting behaviour of the Scottish midge can cause extreme annoyance and significantly curtail BBQs, outdoor sports, camping, hill walking fishing etc. The Highlands of Scotland and their associated climate make ideal breeding grounds for midges, resulting in a huge biomass. For example at the peak of the season, half a million midges have been caught emerging from one 2 x 2 m area of ground. The 'midge season' itself lasts from about the end of May through to September most years, although the level of activity depends on the weather, with midges preferring humid, still and overcast conditions. Working with the Mosquito Magnet, we have managed to catch huge numbers of biting midges - in some cases more than one million per day! Although the traps will not get rid of midges in Scotland completely (and since they are part of the food chain, we would not want to do this), they can certainly go some way to reducing the 'nuisance factor' associated with these insects.

Dr Alison Blackwell
Senior Research Fellow
Biting Midge Research Group
Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine
University of Edinburgh

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