Optimization of the Esperanza window trap for the collection of the African onchocerciasis vector Simulium damnosum sensu lato

We report studies optimizing the Esperanza window trap for Simulium damnosum, which suggest that this trap may replace human landing collections for monitoring onchocerciasis transmission. •The Esperanza window trap was optimized for collecting Simulium damnosum s.l.•A shortened black and blue striped version was shown to be the most effective design.•The trap baited with chemical attractants and CO2 gave collections similar to a human collector. A simple inexpensive trap (Esperanza window trap) was shown recently to collect significant numbers of Simulium ochraceum sensu lato, a major vector of Onchocerca volvulus in Mesoamerica. Here, we report studies optimizing this trap for the collection of Simulium damnosum s.l., the major vector of O. volvulus in Africa. A shortened, blue and black striped version of the Esperanza window trap, when baited with a combination of CO2 and worn trousers, rivalled human landing collections in the number of S. damnosum s.l. females collected. Traps baited with a commercially available human skin lure and CO2 resulted in collections that were not significantly different than those obtained from traps baited with worn trousers and CO2. This suggests that the Esperanza window trap may offer a replacement for human landing collections for monitoring onchocerciasis transmission in Africa.