What are ovitraps used for in mosquito control?

Ovitraps are specifically designed for the purpose of monitoring and attracting egg-laying female mosquitoes. These traps use specific attractants, such as water and certain scents, to create an environment that mimics natural breeding sites, enticing female mosquitoes to lay their eggs within the traps. By using ovitraps, mosquito control professionals can gather valuable data on the presence and density of mosquito populations, particularly those species that lay eggs in standing water. This information is crucial for understanding mosquito breeding patterns and planning effective control measures.

In contrast, other options do not align with the primary function of ovitraps. While controlling adult mosquito populations focuses more on methods that kill or deter adult mosquitoes, ovitraps specifically target the earlier life stage by attracting females to lay eggs. Collecting larval mosquitoes is not the role of ovitraps, as they are aimed at the egg-laying stage, and measuring pesticide effectiveness does not pertain to the use of ovitraps since they are not used for measuring the impact of pesticides on mosquito populations. Thus, the correct selection reflects the distinct role of ovitraps in monitoring and understanding mosquito reproduction.