U.S. Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Research Service, Lincoln, Nebraska
Date of this Version
2003
Citation
J. Med. Entomol. 40(5): 653-656 (2003)
Abstract
Kairomones produced by humans provide female anthropophilic mosquitoes with vital cues used in host-seeking for a blood meal. These chemicals are emanated primarily by the skin and provide the mosquitoes a means to orient themselves to humans at a relatively close range. Chemical studies of these emanations have provided new ideas for the formulation of attractant blends. We report mosquito attraction responses for three binary blends and their separate components. The blends are comprised of L-lactic acid plus either acetone, dichloromethane, or dimethyl disulfide. At the emission rates used in our bioassays, these blends synergistically attract laboratory-reared female Aedes aegypti. Carbon dioxide is not a necessary component to yield high levels of attraction with these blends. It is postulated that at least one of these synergistic blends (L-lactic acid and acetone) produces mosquito attraction behavior similar to L-lactic acid and CO2.