Mosquito Electroantennography
- 1Department of Biochemistry, Zoonotic and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
- 2The Fralin Life Science Institute, Zoonotic and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
- 3The Global Change Center, Zoonotic and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
- 4Department of Entomology, Zoonotic and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
- 5Center of Emerging, Zoonotic and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
- ↵6Correspondence: lahonder{at}vt.edu
Abstract
Mosquitoes use multiple cues to locate food sources (animal and plants), mates, and oviposition sites. The sense of smell plays an important role in these behaviors, and olfactory cues are detected primarily by the appendages on the head—in particular, the antennae. Thus, mosquito olfaction can be studied by conducting electroantennogram (EAG) recordings. EAGs have emerged as a reliable technique to screen for bioactive compounds and are useful in the development of attractants and repellents for mosquito population control. Here, we focus on comparing the two main experimental approaches used in the literature (whole-body and whole-head mounting) and highlight key considerations for conducting EAGs in multiple species and for obtaining reliable and reproducible data.
Footnotes
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From the Mosquitoes collection, edited by Laura B. Duvall and Benjamin J. Matthews.
