Reverse and Conventional Chemical Ecology Approaches for the Development of Oviposition Attractants for Culex Mosquitoes

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0003045
• Publication Date: 2008-08-21T19:36:52Z
• Authors: Walter S. Leal; Rosângela M. R. B...; Wei Xu; Yuko Ishida; Zainulabeuddin Syed; Nicolas Latte; Angela M. Chen; Tania I. Morgan; Anthony J. Cornel; André Furtado
• Keywords: Nonanal; Culex quinquefasciatus; Chemical Ecology

Synthetic mosquito oviposition attractants are sorely needed for surveillance and control programs Culex species, which major vectors of pathogens causing various human diseases, including filariasis, encephalitis, West Nile encephalomyelitis. We employed novel conventional chemical ecology approaches to identify potential attractants, were demonstrated in field tests be effective monitoring populations Cx. p. quinquefasciatus dwellings. Immunohistochemistry studies showed that an odorant-binding protein from this CquiOBP1, is expressed trichoid sensilla on the antennae, short, sharp-tipped type, house olfactory receptor neuron sensitive a previously identified pheromone (MOP), 6-acetoxy-5-hexadecanolide. CquiOBP1 exists monomeric dimeric forms. Monomeric bound MOP pH-dependent manner, with change secondary structure apparently related loss binding at low pH. The antipode higher affinity than natural stereoisomer. By using both as molecular target assays gas chromatography-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD), we nonanal, trimethylamine (TMA), skatole test compounds. Extensive evaluations Recife, Brazil, region high quinquefasciatus, combination TMA (0.9 microg/l) nonanal (0.15 ng/microl) equivalent attraction currently used infusion-based lure, superior offensive smell infusions was eliminated newly developed synthetic mixture.