Attraction of Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae) to volatile chemicals in western Kenya

Anopheles gambiae s.l, and Anopheles funestus Giles are the primary vectors of malaria in East Africa. Identification of host-location olfactory cues may increase trap sensitivity for vector control and surveillance programs. Solid-state army miniature light traps were operated near sleeping humans in huts at night without lights and augmented with the potential attractants: L-lactic acid, Limburger cheese volatiles, hexanoic acid, and carbon dioxide. Mosquito response varied between species and gender. Female An. funestus exhibited a greater response to traps baited with L-lactic acid in combination with carbon dioxide than carbon dioxide alone in two different experiments.