The trap is designed to attract and capture gravid female mosquitoes of a target species in unharmed condition. The attractant is a baited water solution, either collected locally or formulated to simulate water found in the natural habitat. As gravid females approach the water to deposit eggs, they are pulled upward into a collecting container housed in the upper compartment. This container is removable for inspection or processing of specimens.

The trap consists of two basic parts. The upper part contains the exhaust duct with motor and fan, batteries, collecting duct, and specimen container. The lower part serves as the attractant container as well as support for the upper part.

The upper chamber is a heavy duty rain-tight plastic case with carry handle, latch and hinges. It is 16-1/2 x 8-1/4 x 6-1/2" high (42 x 21 x 16.5 cm). A permanently mounted horizontal exhaust duct supplies negative air pressure inside the case. The duct contains a 6-volt motor and fan, activated automatically by an electrical photoswitch at dusk. Manual turnoff is required at dawn to prevent loss of trapped mosquitoes. Power is supplied by four D-cell batteries (available separately 2802H ), or by a 6-volt lantern battery.

The upper chamber also houses a reversible vertical duct which functions as the mosquito pickup after being extended to about one inch above the water surface. A collecting chamber with screened top and stockinette closure rests on the upper end of the vertical intake duct. An elastic cord with pull lock acts as closure. By purchasing additional chambers, specimens collected the prior night can be taken to the lab and held for processing without the need for transferring to another container.

The lower part of the trap, a heavy duty black plastic tray, 20-1/2 x 15 x 5" high (20 x 38 x 12.7 cm), serves as container for the attractant solution and as mounting for the upper trap section. Also available is the 2800H lure as a convenient hay infusion substitute for use with BioQuip’s 2800 series gravid traps.

This gravid mosquito trap is an easily portable, compact unit with nesting parts. It weighs 5-1/2 lbs.

A replacement motor, catalog number 2801F, is available; see 2801A. The 2800S gravid trap is now available. It features an enclosed 6 volt, 10 amp hour sealed gel cell battery. Additional 2860 batteries can be purchased so that the trap can be used continuously.