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Description
Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are major mosquito species that transmit arboviruses such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever. While their host-seeking behavior is well studied, less is known about their use of plant-derived sugar sources, which are essential for survival and daily activity. Date extract is known to attract mosquitoes, but the specific volatile compounds responsible for this response remain unclear. Volatile compounds were identified via GC-MS analysis of date extracts. The goal is to isolate a minimal set of odorants that consistently attract both species and deepen our understanding of mosquito olfactory ecology.
This study explores the olfactory-guided behavior of Aedes mosquitoes in response to different odorants present in date extract. We used behavioral assays featuring custom 3D-printed traps of various shapes and sizes, along with a fine-tuned object detection model, to quantify attraction. Initial results suggest species-specific preferences for trap types, possibly reflecting different foraging strategies. These findings provide a basis for broader investigations into mosquito foraging strategies and sensory decision-making.
