Author
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Bernier, Ulrich |
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Submitted to: Technical Bulletin of the Florida Mosquito Control Association
Publication Type: Review Article Publication Acceptance Date: 6/27/2005 Publication Date: 7/1/2007 Citation: Bernier, U.R. 2007. Laboratory research and development of attractants, inhibitors and repellents. Technical Bulletin of the Florida Mosquito Control Association. Interpretive Summary: Bites from mosquitoes and other bloodsucking flies are a nuisance to humans and spread diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, and west nile virus to humans and animals. Investigation of human and animal odors provide clues about the chemicals that these insects use to locate people and animals. The chemicals can be used in blends to attract insects, such as mosquitoes, to traps to help mosquito control districts predict areas where mosquitoes may spread disease. This work has resulted in the discovery of chemicals that we produce that hide us from mosquitoes. These 'inhibitor' chemicals make humans and animals invisible to mosquitoes. This technology may be useful to protect, us, our animals, and our deployed military personnel both at home and abroad. In addition to attractants and inhibitors, we have used repellents, applied to the skin, to protect us from bites and clothing treated with chemicals to assist in this endeavor. Some of the recent work and future applications of research in these areas is present in this paper. Technical Abstract: This paper describes some of past and current research findings, and speculates upon future developments, conducted primarily by the USDA-ARS-CMAVE Mosquito and Fly Research Unit in Gainesville, FL, in the area of biting fly attractants and repellents. Topics addressed are the fundamentals and methodology of this research covering the chemical and biological methods used to discover and verify the efficacy of attractants, inhibitors, and repellents. Current and future applications of newly discovered attractants and inhibitors are described. |
