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The location of floral nectar sources by mosquitoes: the long-range responses of Anopheles arabiensis Patton (Diptera: Culicidae) to Achillea millefolium flowers and isolated floral odour

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

T. P. Healy  and
P. C. Jepson
T. P. Healy
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, Southampton University, Medical & Biological Sciences Building, Bassett Crescent East, Southampton, SO9 3TU, UK
P. C. Jepson
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, Southampton University, Medical & Biological Sciences Building, Bassett Crescent East, Southampton, SO9 3TU, UK
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Abstract

A wind-tunnel bioassay system, developed previously for the evaluation of long-range host-location stimuli, was used to investigate the responses of Anopheles arabiensis Patton to floral odours. Mosquitoes were found to respond by flight and landing to Achillea millefolium inflorescences and also to the odour of A. millefolium in the absence of visual stimuli. An air-entrainment technique was used to extract floral odours for biological and chemical testing. Both sexes of Anopheles arabiensis were found to respond to the floral odour extract. The major component of the floral odour was tentatively identified as a cyclic or bicyclic monoterpene.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 78 , Issue 4 , December 1988 , pp. 651 - 657
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1988

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References

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