FIELD TESTING THE ATTRACTANCY AND TOXICITY OF THE PRO-FRAGRANCE COMPOUND, OKOUMAL, TO GRAVID AEDES MOSQUITOES AND THEIR OFFSPRING LARVAE

Abstract

Mosquitoes are among the most prominent and medically important insects in the world, causing substantial public health concerns in many regions. Aedes spp. mosquitoes are arguably the most important invasive species in the United States and worldwide. Oviposition traps are typically baited with plant infusions that release a suite of volatile compounds that attract gravid female mosquitoes, but plant infusions require weekly maintenance and are difficult to standardize. The overall goal of my thesis was to evaluate the efficacy of Okoumal, a pro-fragrance compound, at attracting ovipositing gravid adult Aedes mosquitoes and act as a toxin to their larvae offspring using field and laboratory trials. My results indicate that although Okoumal is toxic to Aedes larvae, there is little evidence of it being an attractant to oviposition gravid female Ae. albopictus casting doubt of its use as a bait in mosquito surveillance and control.