Oviposition attractants in mosquito surveillance and control
- Average Rating:
- 5
- Categories:
- Live Webinar
- Faculty:
- Matthew DeGennaro, Ph.D.
- Course Levels:
- All Levels
- Duration:
- 1 Hour Session
- Format:
- Audio and Video
- License:
- Never expires.
Description
Successful oviposition is necessary to maintain mosquito populations. Manipulating this behavior offers the promise of increasing mosquito surveillance efficacy and reducing mosquito populations. We have investigated the effect of geosmin on the behavior of the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti. In contrast to flies, geosmin stimulates egg-laying site selection in mosquitoes. Female mosquitoes likely associate geosmin with microbes present in the aquatic habitats of the larvae and are attracted to geosmin producing cyanobacteria. In field trials, we have shown that geosmin can increase egg-laying site selection. Geosmin, which is both expensive and difficult to obtain, can be substituted by beetroot peel extract, providing a cheap and viable means of enhancing mosquito surveillance. We will provide perspective on combining geosmin-rich attractants with larvicides to improve mosquito control.
Faculty
Matthew DeGennaro, Ph.D. Related Seminars and Products
Chemosensation underlies many insect behaviors including host detection and oviposition site selection. I developed genome editing tools in Aedes aegypti for the comprehensive genetic analysis of mosquito behavior. Using this approach, I have provided key insights into DEET repellency, oviposition behavior, hygrosensation, hormonal physiology, reproduction, and how mosquitoes find their animal and plant hosts. My work has highlighted the role of acid volatiles associated with human odor in mosquito host detection. Microbiome-based vector control is my current focus. Understanding the composition and odor profiles of the microbial communities associated with human skin and mosquito oviposition sites offers the promise to disrupt vector behavior to reduce disease risk.