ARS | Publication request: Discovery and Application of Allelochemicals that Mediate Biting Fly Host-Seeking and Feeding Behaviors

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: April 12, 2010
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Mosquitoes locate and obtain bloodmeals from preferred hosts by using various odor cues, the strongest of which are the volatile chemicals emanated by the host. These biting flies not only exhibit a preference between different species of host (e.g., human versus avian) but also between hosts within the same species (e.g., different humans). During the last decade, we have performed chemical analyses to identify highly to moderately volatile compounds in animal blood, on feathers and skin of avians, and from the skin of humans, horses, and giraffes. Laboratory-based bioassays have been conducted to determine how components of these odors affect mosquito host-seeking and feeding. This seminar will cover the unique chemistry from each of these hosts and how these may function as kairomones (attractants) or allomones (repellents and attraction-inhibitors) for mosquitoes.