Identification of oviposition attractants for Culex quinquefasciatus from fermented Bermuda grass infusions

J Am Mosq Control Assoc. 1992 Mar;8(1):11-7.

Abstract

Compounds which attract and stimulate oviposition by gravid Culex quinquefasciatus were isolated and identified from a fermented Bermuda grass infusion. The neutral portion of the ether extract of the aqueous infusion contained the stimulatory materials. Fractionation by liquid chromatography yielded an active fraction containing phenol, 4-methylphenol, 4-ethylphenol, indole and 3-methylindole. A blend of the 5 compounds strongly stimulated oviposition, as did blends of any 4 of them. Bioassays with individual compounds showed that only 3-methylindole consistently induced oviposition, in concentrations spanning 5 orders of magnitude.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Assay
  • Chemical Fractionation
  • Cresols / analysis
  • Cresols / pharmacology
  • Culex / physiology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Fermentation
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Indoles / analysis
  • Indoles / pharmacology*
  • Oviposition / drug effects*
  • Phenols / analysis
  • Phenols / pharmacology*
  • Poaceae*
  • Skatole / analysis
  • Skatole / pharmacology

Substances

  • Cresols
  • Indoles
  • Phenols
  • 4-cresol
  • Skatole
  • 4-ethylphenol