González M., Venter G.J., López S., Iturrondobeitia J.C., Goldarazena A.
Entomology Laboratory, Basque Institute of Agricultural Research and Development, NEIKER-TECNALIA, Vitoria, Spain; ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Onderstepoort, South Africa; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Modelling, IQAC-CSIC, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Zoology and Animal Cell Biology, University of Basque Country, Leioa, Spain; Department of Pest Management and Vector Control, Institute of Ecology (INECOL), Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
González, M., Entomology Laboratory, Basque Institute of Agricultural Research and Development, NEIKER-TECNALIA, Vitoria, Spain; Venter, G.J., ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Onderstepoort, South Africa; López, S., Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Modelling, IQAC-CSIC, Barcelona, Spain; Iturrondobeitia, J.C., Department of Zoology and Animal Cell Biology, University of Basque Country, Leioa, Spain; Goldarazena, A., Entomology Laboratory, Basque Institute of Agricultural Research and Development, NEIKER-TECNALIA, Vitoria, Spain, Department of Pest Management and Vector Control, Institute of Ecology (INECOL), Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
The efficacy of 23 compounds in repelling Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), particularly Culicoides obsoletus (Meigen) females, was determined by means of a Y-tube olfactometer. The 10 most effective compounds were further evaluated in landing bioassays. The six most promising compounds (including chemical and plant-derived repellents) were evaluated at 10% and 25% concentrations in field assays using Centers for Disease Control (CDC) light traps. At least three compounds showed promising results against Culicoides biting midges with the methodologies used. Whereas olfactometer assays indicated DEET at 1μg/μL to be the most effective repellent, filter paper landing bioassays showed plant-derived oils to be better. Light traps fitted with polyester mesh impregnated with a mixture of octanoic, decanoic and nonanoic fatty acids at 10% and 25% concentrations collected 2.2 and 3.6 times fewer midges than control traps and were as effective as DEET, which is presently considered the reference standard insect repellent. The best plant-derived product was lemon eucalyptus oil. Although these have been reported as safe potential repellents, the present results indicate DEET and the mixture of organic fatty acids to be superior and longer lasting. © 2014 The Royal Entomological Society.
