Analysis and optimization of a synthetic milkweed floral attractant for mosquitoes

J Chem Ecol. 2012 Jul;38(7):873-81. doi: 10.1007/s10886-012-0150-6. Epub 2012 Jun 19.

Abstract

A pentane extract of flowers of common milkweed, Asclepias syriaca (Asclepiadaceae), elicited significant orientation from both male and female Culex pipiens in a dual-port flight olfactometer. Analysis of the extract by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed six major constituents in order of relative abundance: benzaldehyde, (E)-β-ocimene, phenylacetaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, nonanal, and (E)-2-nonenal. Although not all were collected from the headspace profile of live flowers, a synthetic blend of these six compounds, when presented to mosquitoes in the same levels and proportions that occur in the extract, elicited a response comparable to the extract. Subtractive behavioral bioassays demonstrated that a three-component blend consisting of benzaldehyde, phenylacetaldehyde, and (E)-2-nonenal was as attractive as the full blend. These findings suggest the potential use of synthetic floral-odor blends for monitoring or control of both male and female disease-vectoring mosquitoes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Appetitive Behavior / drug effects*
  • Asclepias / chemistry*
  • Culex / drug effects*
  • Female
  • Flight, Animal
  • Flowers / chemistry
  • Insect Vectors / drug effects
  • Male
  • Pheromones / analysis*
  • Pheromones / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Smell

Substances

  • Pheromones
  • Plant Extracts
  • insect attractants