The roles of kairomones, synomones and pheromones in the chemically-mediated behaviour of male mosquitoes

Abstract

Despite decades of intensive study of the chemical ecology of female mosquitoes, relatively little is known about the chemical ecology of males. This short review summarizes the current state of knowledge of the chemicals that mediate male mosquito behaviour. Various trophic interactions including insect-plant, insect-host, and insect-insect responses are emphasized. The relevance of the chemical ecology of male mosquitoes in the context of vector control programmes is discussed.

Keywords: Chemical ecology; Kairomone; Male mosquito; Odour; Pheromone; Semiochemical; Synomone.