Abstract
A great many stimuli—auditory, visual and chemical—attract or repel insects and some of these play an essential role in maintaining the life of the individual or perpetuating the species. The author examines the modes of action of attractants in nature, particularly in relation to blood feeding. The predominant mechanism of attraction to an odour source (e.g., in host finding) appears to be positive anemotaxis. Success in locating the source is influenced by wind conditions and by the visual acuity and field of view of the insect. The author considers the physical and chemical properties of materials that have been widely used as attractants and repellents and indicates the unsatisfactory nature of present theories to explain their action. Possible applications of attractants in vector control include their use in traps, baits and sprays, while repellents are mainly of value for personal protection. Increased understanding of the mechanism of action is likely to lead to the development of much more effective materials and to their wider application.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- FREYVOGEL T. A. [A contribution to the problem of the blood-sucking of mosquitoes]. Acta Trop. 1961;18:201–251. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Ginsburg J. M. PROTECTION FROM MOSQUITO BITES IN OUTDOOR GATHERINGS. Science. 1935 Nov 22;82(2134):490–491. doi: 10.1126/science.82.2134.490. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- RAHM U. Besitzt Vitamin B1 insektenabhaltende Eigenschaften? Schweiz Med Wochenschr. 1958 Jun 28;88(26):634–635. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- RAHM U. Die attraktive Wirkung der vom Menschen abgegebenen Duftstoffe auf Aedes aegypti L. Z Tropenmed Parasitol. 1958 Jun;9(2):146–156. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Wilson C. S., Mathieson D. R., Jachowski L. A. INGESTED THIAMIN CHLORIDE AS A MOSQUITO REPELLENT. Science. 1944 Aug 18;100(2590):147–147. doi: 10.1126/science.100.2590.147. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]