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The Role of Olfaction in Host-Seeking of Mosquitoes: A Review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

Willem Takken
Willem Takken
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, Wageningen Agricultural University, P. O. Box 8031, 6700 EH Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Abstract

This review concentrates on air-borne chemical cues that blood-seeking mosquitoes use to locate a host. A distinction is made between short- and long-range attraction. Carbon dioxide is involved in both processes. It activates and attracts mosquitoes. The latter function is only observed in combination with an odorous organo-chemical. Other olfactory cues are primarily involved in long-range attraction. Bodily emanations from the host that contain olfactory cues can be divided into three groups: Skin emanations, exhaled air and urine. Each of these is attractive to mosquitoes, but there is little knowledge about the chemical compounds that cause the attraction. Lactic acid in the presence of CO2 is attractive, and lactic acid-sensitive neurosensilla are present on the antennae. Other host-produced chemicals are also attractive, but chemical identification and subsequent confirmation of attractiveness for mosquitoes has not been reported. Host preference in mosquitoes is species-specific and varies from highly specific to opportunistic. Attraction is likely to be caused by a mixture of several compounds. Synergism may be an important way of increasing the effect of separate chemical cues.

Résumé

Ce rapport se concentre sur les facteurs chimiques volatils utilisés par les moustiques pour localiser un hôte nourricier. Une distinction est faite entre une attraction à courte et à longue distance. Le dioxyde de carbone est impliqué dans les deux cas, étant un activant et un attractif. Cette dernière fonction n'est impliquée qu'en combinaison avec un produit chimique olfactif. Les émanations corporelles d'un hôte nourricier contenant des facteurs volatils sont divisés en trois groupes:émanations de la peau, air expiré, et urine. Chaqu'un est attractif pour les moustiques, mais les produits chimiques responsables pour cette attraction sont peu connus. L'acid lactique en présence du dioxyde de carbon est attractif, et des neurosensilles sensibles à l'acid lactique se trouvent sur les antennes. D'autres produits chimiques venant d'hôtes nourriciers sont attractifs, mais leur identification et confirmation comme attractifs olfactifs n'a pas été rapportée. Chez les moustiques, la préférence alimentaire varie entre les espéces, de trés spécifique à opportunistique. L'attraction est vraisemblablement due à un composé de produits chimiques. Une synergie pourrait augmenter l'effet de ces facteurs.

Keywords

Mosquitoeshost-seekingolfactionattractantsreview

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