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Electrophysiological and behavioural response of A edes albopictus to n ‐heinecosane, an ovipositional pheromone of A edes aegypti
Author(s) -
Gonzalez Paula V.,
González Audino Paola A.,
Masuh Héctor M.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
entomologia experimentalis et applicata
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.765
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1570-7458
pISSN - 0013-8703
DOI - 10.1111/eea.12184
Subject(s) - biology , aedes albopictus , pheromone , larva , zoology , aedes aegypti , sex pheromone , pest analysis , botany
A edes aegypti ( L .) and A edes albopictus ( S kuse) ( D iptera: C ulicidae) are highly anthropophilic mosquito species and potential vectors of dengue and yellow fever. The location of suitable sites for oviposition requires a set of visual, tactile, and olfactory cues that influence females before they lay their eggs. In this study, the effect of n ‐heneicosane, a recognized oviposition pheromone of A e. aegypti , on the olfactory receptors of the antennae of A e. aegypti and A e. albopictus was studied using electroantennographic detection coupled to gas chromatography ( GC ‐ EAD ). A significant electroantennographic response to n ‐heneicosane in adult females of both mosquito species was observed. In addition, gravid A e. albopictus females laid more eggs in substrate treated with n ‐heneicosane at 0.1, 1, or 10 p.p.m. than in the control, denoting oviposition attractancy. Conversely, at 30, 50, 100, and 200 p.p.m., more eggs were laid in the control substrate, indicating oviposition repellency. Analysis of the larval cuticle by GC and mass spectrometry confirmed the presence of n‐ heneicosane in the cuticles of A e. albopictus larvae. The species‐specific role of n ‐heneicosane as an oviposition pheromone in A e. aegypti and its significance as a behaviour modifier of A e. albopictus in breeding sites is discussed.