The chemical code for attracting Culex mosquitoes

Mosquitoes use chemical codes to locate and discriminate among vertebrate hosts obtain a blood meal. Recent advances have allowed for the identification of used by mosquitoes humans from other hosts. Humans are incidental “dead-end” West Nile virus, which is maintained in an enzootic cycle, primarily through its transmission between infected birds Culex mosquitoes. Host-seeking attracted odor chicken, sentinel traps monitor virus transmission. Using combined gas chromatography electroantennography mass spectrometry we identify blend volatile organic compounds present chicken emanates, including mostly salient bioactive previously identified human emanates. When released at their ratios, this elicits behavioral responses pipiens molestus quinquefasciatus similar that natural odor. Tested under field conditions, attract spp. species using This study provides evidence conserved resource location mosquitoes, highlights intricate role CO 2 host-seeking The codes, drive innate preference behaviors fundamental survival reproduction, important substrates future control interventions targeting disease vector