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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Mosquito and Fly Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #176236
Title: CHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND LABORATORY BIOASSAYS OF HOST ODORS TO IDENTIFY COMPOUNDS THAT ATTRACT OR INHIBIT THE ATTRACTION OF MOSQUITOES

Author
item Bernier, Ulrich
item Allan, Sandra - Sandy
item Carlson, David

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/21/2004
Publication Date: 8/21/2004
Citation: Bernier, U.R., Allan, S.A., Carlson, D.A. 2004. Chemical analysis and laboratory bioassays of host odors to identify compounds that attract or inhibit the attraction of mosquitoes. Meeting Abstract.

Interpretive Summary: N/A.

Technical Abstract: Using various sampling techniques and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), a comprehensive profile of odors from hosts can be obtained. The differences in chemicals emanated by different hosts may provide a clue to the structures of compounds used by anthropophilic mosquitoes compared to those used by zoophilic mosquitoes for host location. Screening of candidate compounds is accomplished in our laboratory by using a triple-cage dual-port olfactometer. Bioassays of single compounds and blends of compounds have resulted in the development of attractive synergistic binary blends for anthropophilic mosquitoes. Further improvement to the blends has resulted in a three-component blend that is more attractive than some human individuals in laboratory bioassays. During the development of these attractive odor blends, some compounds were observed to inhibit the host-seeking capability of mosquitoes, possibly my masking the attractive odors. Inclusion of these compounds (attraction-inhibitors) in attractive blends, results in a substantial decrease in the ability of mosquitoes to locate the attractive odor source in the olfactometer. Laboratory bioassays are being used to develop a system that demonstrates the possibility of concealing a host with attraction-inhibitors and driving mosquitoes to choose an attractant blend over a live human or animal host.