Evaluation of 1-octen-3-ol as an attractant for Coquillettidia perturbans, Mansonia spp. and Culex spp. associated with phosphate mining operations.

Field studies were conducted in phosphate mined areas of Polk County, FL, to determine the responses of mosquitoes produced as a result of mining operations to octenol and carbon dioxide. There was a highly significant response of all species except Culex erraticus and Anopheles quadrimaculatus to CO2. Also, a significant negative octenol response was shown for An. quadrimaculatus. Coquillettidia perturbans, Mansonia titillans and Cx. salinarius had an increased response to octenol relative to no attractant. There was a slightly negative interactive effect between octenol and 500 cc/min CO2 for Anopheles spp. and Culex (Melanoconion) spp. Both Cq. perturbans and Ma. titillans showed a significant synergistic enhancement in catch with octenol supplemented CO2 when compared with CO2 alone. However, their response to CO2 was not significantly different at 2 release rates (200 and 500 cc/min). There was a slightly greater than additive effect for the combination of octenol and CO2 for Cx. nigripalpus.