The sensilla of Aedes and Anopheles mosquitoes and their importance in repellency

Parasitol Res. 2006 Sep;99(4):491-9. doi: 10.1007/s00436-006-0185-0. Epub 2006 Apr 27.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to detect the role of some mosquito organs in their sensation of repellent materials. A total of 250 females (15 days old) of the target species Aedes aegypti and Anopheles stephensi were prepared and divided into five groups: group 1, without antenna; group 2, without maxillary bulbs; group 3, without proboscis; group 4, without frontal tarsus; and group 5, normal females as control. A mixture of five oils containing Litsea cubeba 1%, Melaleuca leucadendron 1%, Melaleuca quinquenervia 1%, Viola odorata 1%, and Nepeta cataria 1% was included in a complex solvent containing 20% genapol, 10% polyethylene glycol, 20% ethanol, and 50% water. Furthermore, Bayrepel was used in this experiment at a 20% concentration in the same solvent. Pure water was used as control in this study. The test was carried out by spreading 100 microl of the repellent material or water on a 30-cm2 exposure area of a human volunteer's arm. In A. aegypti, the biting and landing percentages increased significantly in those mosquito groups that lacked some organs (especially maxillary bulbs), while in A. stephensi, it became not clear which organ is responsible for perception of repellents.

MeSH terms

  • Animal Structures / drug effects*
  • Animal Structures / physiology
  • Animal Structures / ultrastructure
  • Animals
  • Culicidae / anatomy & histology
  • Culicidae / drug effects*
  • Culicidae / physiology
  • Drug Combinations
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Insect Repellents / toxicity*
  • Piperidines / toxicity
  • Plant Oils / toxicity*
  • Sense Organs / drug effects*
  • Sense Organs / physiology
  • Sense Organs / ultrastructure

Substances

  • Drug Combinations
  • Insect Repellents
  • Piperidines
  • Plant Oils
  • picaridin