Chemical Ecology and Behaviour

Question 1

Method of Aedes mosquitoes oviposition.

Answer 1

Skip oviposition

Question 2

Cues to Aedes odour mediation.

Answer 2

Organism, breeding environment, host, host habitat

Question 3

Collection methods of semiochemicals.

Answer 3

Eggs are soaked in methylene chloride (to dissolve organic material) for examination of volatile system. The odour (volatile extract or a direct extract) and a control are added to an olfactometer, air blown in through activated charcoal. Observe mosquito preference.

Question 4

How are semiochemical results analysed?

Answer 4

Gas (GC) or liquid (HPLC) chromatography

Question 5

How does chromatography separate chemicals?

Answer 5

By molecular weight.

Question 6

When fractionating multiple times for a bioassay, what should the next step be if bioassay II has no active fraction?

Answer 6

Test chemical combinations, may contribute to volatility with a focus on ratios.

Question 7

What does linked GC - SSR stand for?

Answer 7

Linked gas chromatography - single sensillum recording

Question 8

What bacterial flora is most (i) and least (ii) attractive to mosquitoes

Answer 8

(i) Staphylococcus (ii) Pseudomonas

Question 9

Flying patterns of mosquitoes

Answer 9

Swooping - fly back and fourth
Visiting - keeps returning
Bouncing - amplitude lowers with multiple contact (most contact)

mosquitoes slow down prior to surface impact regardless of whether the net is treated

Question 10

Difference in mosquito activity in lab and field over 60 minutes.

Answer 10

Lab continually high, in field activity reduced