Chemical Odorant of Colonial Seabird Repels Mosquitoes

Douglas, Hector D.; Co, J. E.; Jones, Tappey H.; Conner, William E.; Day, Jonathan F.

doi:10.1093/jmedent/42.4.647

Cited by 39 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Crested auklets (Aethia cristatella) emit a characteristic citrusy odor, which is associated from specialized wick feathers in the interscapular region. These chemical compounds are effective in repelling or killing lice, ticks and mosquitoes (Douglas et al, 2004(Douglas et al, , 2005aDouglas, 2013; but see Douglas et al, 2005b). Similarly, the feathers and skin of birds of the genus Pitohui and Ifrita from New Guinea contain a potent toxin that has been suggested to deter lice (Dumbacher et al, 1992(Dumbacher et al, , 2000Mouritsen and Madsen, 1994;Poulsen, 1994;Dumbacher, 1999).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Chemical and Auditory Cues of Hoopoes (Upupa epops) in Repellence and Attraction of Blood-Feeding Flies

et al. 2020

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Research on the mechanisms involved in host location by parasites is of paramount importance and may aid in developing protective measures against them. This topic attains far-reaching repercussions for human and animal welfare regarding parasites transmitting vector-borne pathogens, such as blood-feeding flies. Very few studies have evaluated the effect of bird-derived cues on attraction of vectors in field conditions. We here explored the attraction of different groups of blood-feeding flies (mosquitoes, blackflies and biting midges) to auditory cues produced by begging hoopoe (Upupa epops) nestlings, and to three chemical cues derived from hoopoe nestlings or nests (uropygial secretion, symbiotic bacteria isolated from the secretion, and nest material) in the field. We deployed insect traps baited with the different stimuli at the beginning and at the end of the hoopoe breeding-season in four different habitats. Abundance of blood-feeding flies varied depending on habitat and sampling period. Begging auditory cues of nestling hoopoes did not affect abundance of flies. However, chemical stimuli affected abundance of mosquitoes, which were less abundant in traps baited with bacteria or with nest material than in control traps. Abundance of biting midges in traps also depended on the chemical stimulus but in interaction with sampling period or habitat. Fewer biting midges were collected in traps baited with bacteria and with secretion in the habitats where abundance of biting midges is higher. Our results suggest that uropygial secretion of hoopoes, and symbiotic bacteria living in this secretion, may repel blood-feeding flies from their nests.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Chemical and Auditory Cues of Hoopoes (Upupa epops) in Repellence and Attraction of Blood-Feeding Flies

et al. 2020

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“…Interestingly, 4-ethyl phenol is an attractant and oviposition stimulant in other insect systems [49]. Hexanal, in isolation and in combination with other aldehydes, serves as an effective repellent in several invertebrate systems [50][51][52]. It is possible that these VOCs have an integrative effect on beetle behavior, with the prioritization of the detection of certain ratios of these compounds being largely dependent on the reproductive state.…”

Section: Voc Profile Analysis Reveals Candidate Volatiles Driving Avomentioning

confidence: 99%

Olfactory Choice for Decomposition Stage in the Burying Beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides: Preference or Aversion?

Delclós

Bouldin

Tomberlin

2020

Insects

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Sensory cues predicting resource quality are drivers of key animal behaviors such as preference or aversion. Despite the abundance of behavioral choice studies across the animal kingdom, relatively few studies have tested whether these decisions are driven by preference for one choice or aversion to another. In the burying beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides, adult pairs exhibit parental care to raise their offspring on a small carrion resource. We tested whether carrion decomposition stage affected brood quantity and quality and found that mating pairs had significantly more offspring on fresher carcasses. To determine whether this observed reproductive benefit correlates with maternal preference behavior, we conducted a series of olfactory trials testing mated female preferences for mouse carcasses of differing decomposition stages. When given the option between fresh and older carcasses, females associated significantly more with fresher, 1-day old carcasses. However, this behavior may be driven by aversion, as females that were given a choice between the 7-day old carcass and a blank control spent significantly more time in the control chamber. We characterized volatile organic compound profiles of both carcass types, highlighting unique compounds that may serve as public information (sensu lato) conveying resource quality information to gravid beetles.

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“…Although most studies linking bacteria, volatile production and mosquito attraction have been carried out in humans and anthropophilic mosquitoes, studies in other species show similar patterns. For example, in some species of birds, both the uropygial gland secretion and volatile compounds of skin and plumage have been shown to attract mosquitoes (Russell and Hunter, 2005;Bernier et al, 2008; but see Douglas et al, 2005). However, despite the evidence that bacteria in the uropygial gland and plumage produce volatile compounds that can be used in olfactory communication (Maraci et al, 2018), there is no study yet linking the production of volatile compounds that specifically attract mosquitos with bacteria species in birds.…”

Section: Mosquito Behavioral Response To Skin Microbiota Volatiles Inmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mosquito Behavior and Vertebrate Microbiota Interaction: Implications for Pathogen Transmission

Ruiz‐López

2020

Front. Microbiol.

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The microbiota is increasingly recognized for its ability to influence host health and individual fitness through multiple pathways, such as nutrient synthesis, immune system development, and even behavioral processes. Most of these studies though focus on the direct effects microbiota has on its host, but they do not consider possible interactions with other individuals. However, host microbiota can change not only host behavior but also the behavior of other individuals or species toward the host. For example, microbes can have an effect on animal chemistry, influencing animal behaviors mediated by chemical communication, such as mosquito attraction. We know that host skin microbes play a major role in odor production and thus can affect the behavior of mosquitoes leading to differences in attraction to their hosts. Ultimately, the vector feeding preference of mosquitoes conditions the risk of vertebrates of coming into contact with a vector-borne pathogen, affecting its transmission, and thus epidemiology of vector-borne diseases. In this mini review, I provide an overview of the current status of research on the interaction between mosquito behavior and host skin microbiota, both in humans and other vertebrates. I consider as well the factors that influence vertebrate skin microbiota composition, such as sex, genetic makeup, and infection status, and discuss the implications for pathogen transmission.

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Chemical Odorant of Colonial Seabird Repels Mosquitoes

Cited by 39 publications

References 31 publications

Effects of Chemical and Auditory Cues of Hoopoes (Upupa epops) in Repellence and Attraction of Blood-Feeding Flies

Effects of Chemical and Auditory Cues of Hoopoes (Upupa epops) in Repellence and Attraction of Blood-Feeding Flies

Olfactory Choice for Decomposition Stage in the Burying Beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides: Preference or Aversion?

Mosquito Behavior and Vertebrate Microbiota Interaction: Implications for Pathogen Transmission

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