Abstract
Investigations of the chemical ecology of host-seeking behaviour of the anthropophilic, malarial mosquito Anopheles gambiae s.s. were conducted using observations on biting behaviour, a behavioural bioassay to test the activity of candidate odours, and analytical chemistry of attractive odour mixtures. Anopheles gambiae s.s. landed and bit preferentially on the human foot and it was shown that this behaviour was odour modulated. In the bioassay, the mosquitoes were found to be highly attracted to emanations of Limburger cheese, the odours of which are reminiscent of those from human feet. The active compounds in the cheese were found to be fatty acids and the mosquitoes were attracted to a synthetic mixture of such acids. The ecology of this behaviour is discussed with respect to the odours produced by human skin.
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