Publication Type
Journal Article
Journal Name
Journal of Chemical Ecology
Publication Date
11-1-2024
Abstract
This study investigates the efficacy of three different olfactory cues - cyclohexanone, linalool oxide (LO), and 6-methyl-5-heptan-2-one (sulcatone) - in attracting Aedes aegypti, the primary vector of dengue, using BG sentinel traps in a dengue-endemic area (urban Ukunda) in coastal Kenya. Two experiments were conducted. Experiment 1 compared solid formulations of the compounds in polymer beads against liquid formulations with hexane as the solvent. CO2-baited traps served as controls. In Experiment 2, traps were baited with each compound in the polymer beads, commercial BG-Lure, and CO2. Our results indicate that CO2-baited traps recorded the greatest Ae. aegypti captures in both Experiment 1 and 2, whereas trap captures with polymer beads and solvent-based treatments were comparable. In experiment 2, polymer bead-based treatments yielded significantly greater female captures, each recording ~ 2-fold more captures than traps baited with the BG-Lure. There was no significant difference, however, between the treatments. Female Ae. aegypti captured in CO2-baited traps were mainly unfed (91%), with fewer gravid mosquitoes (6.4%) compared to traps with test compounds (range; 12.7–21.1%). Male captures were lower in LO and BG-Lure baited traps compared to other treatments. Gravimetric analysis showed LO had a slower release rate compared to other compounds. The findings suggest that host-associated compounds loaded on polymer beads are more effective in trapping Ae. aegypti than commercial BG-Lure and reveal sex-specific differences in mosquito responses. These results have implications for mosquito surveillance and control programs, highlighting the potential for selective trapping strategies.
Keywords
Arbovirus surveillance, Cyclohexanone, Host-derived attractants, Linalool oxide, Odor-baited traps, Sulcatone
PubMed ID
38532168
Recommended Citation
Adhiambo, E., Gouagna, L., Owino, E., Mutuku, F., Getahun, M., Torto, B., & Tchouassi, D. (2024). Polymer Beads Increase Field Responses to Host Attractants in the Dengue Vector Aedes aegypti. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 50 (11), 654-662. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-024-01489-8