RESPONSES OF FEMALE AEDES-AEGYPTI (DIPTERA, CULICIDAE) TO HOST ODORS AND CONVECTION CURRENTS USING AN OLFACTOMETER BIOASSAY

The responses of female Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) to a variety of stimuli were studied using an olfactometer bioassay. Mosquitoes responded significantly to convection currents produced by a human hand. The addition of water vapour to convection currents enhanced significantly the mosquitoes' response. Lactic acid, either alone or in combination with water vapour or/and convection currents however, did not increase the response level. Sweat extract elicited higher response than convection currents, water vapour and lactic acid. Human hands elicited significantly higher responses than any other stimuli. The presence of active chemicals other than lactic acid in human odour extract is discussed.