Author/Authors :
Omrani, S.M. shahrekord university of medical sciences - School of Medicine - Department of Medical Parasitology, ايران , Omrani, S.M. tehran university of medical sciences tums - School of Public Health NationalInstitute for Health Research - Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, تهران, ايران , Vatandoost, H. tehran university of medical sciences tums - School of Public Health NationalInstitute for Health Research - Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, تهران, ايران , Oshaghi, M.A. tehran university of medical sciences tums - School of Public Health NationalInstitute for Health Research - Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, تهران, ايران , Rahimi, A. tehran university of medical sciences tums - School of Public Health NationalInstitute for Health Research - Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, تهران, ايران
Abstract :
Excretion of carbon dioxide and L-lactic acid through exhalation and perspiration provides olfactory signals to mosquitoes which allow them to find and bite humans; however, mosquito species differ in this regard. This study investigated upwind responses of Anopheles stephensi, mysorensis form, an important malaria vector in Asia, to carbon dioxide and L-lactic acid under laboratory conditions. While a minimal dose of carbon dioxide (90 ppm) activated the mosquitoes, 10 times this amount suppressed them. L-lactic acid alone did not produce a significant effect by itself, but addition of 6 μg/min of L-lactic acid to a range of 90 to 410 ppm carbon dioxide resulted in attraction. The results provide further support for the hypothesis that CO2 plays an important role in the host-seeking behaviour of zoophilic mosquitoes, and suggests that L-lactic acid might play a more critical role than CO2 in the attraction of An. stephensi.
