Attraction of Females towards the Aggregation Pheromone Neryl ()-2-Methylbutanoate and Kairomones in a Y-Olfactometer.

An understanding of insect olfaction allows for more specific alternative methods of pest control. We evaluated the responses of the western flower thrips (WFT, ) in a Y-olfactometer to estimate gas-phase concentrations of the aggregation pheromone neryl ()-2-methylbutanoate and known kairomones such as methyl isonicotinate, ()-(-)-verbenone, and -anisaldehyde. The gas-phase concentrations of these compounds were obtained from the release rates measured in dynamic headspace cells.

Water vapour and heat combine to elicit biting and biting persistence in tsetse.

Background: Tsetse flies are obligatory blood feeders, accessing capillaries by piercing the skin of their hosts with the haustellum to suck blood. However, this behaviour presents a considerable risk as landing flies are exposed to predators as well as the host's own defense reactions such as tail flicking. Achieving a successful blood meal within the shortest time span is therefore at a premium in tsetse, so feeding until replete normally lasts less than a minute.