Evaluation of a chemical blend to attract the adult mosquito Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) by an olfactometer

Abstract

This study aimed to develop and evaluate synthetic chemical blends designed to attract Aedes aegypti for use in mosquito monitoring and integrated pest management programs. Laboratory experiments were conducted using a dual-port olfactometer to assess the attractiveness of various chemical blends composed of acetone, lactic acid, octenol, hexanoic acid, and other additives, including cyclopentanone, ammonium bicarbonate, linalool oxide, and beetroot-based sucrose solutions. The results identified a blend of acetone, lactic acid, octenol, and hexanoic acid (Solution 1) as a highly effective attractant, achieving a 61.8% attraction rate, significantly outperforming a lower-concentration variant (p=0.047) and the commercially available BG lure (p=0.033). Additives such as cyclopentanone and ammonium bicarbonate significantly enhanced mosquito attraction (67.8%, p=0.012), as did linalool oxide (68.5%, p=0.007), suggesting synergistic effects with the base blend. However, other additives, such as beetroot-based sucrose solutions, showed limited efficacy.
This study highlights the potential of optimized chemical blends to improve mosquito surveillance tools and enhance vector control strategies by targeting and concentrating Ae. aegypti populations. The findings pave the way for further field validation and integration into existing mosquito management programs, offering a promising approach to reducing the burden of mosquito-borne diseases.

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