Repellent properties of delta-octalactone against the tsetse fly, Glossina morsitans morsitans.

Delta-octalactone, produced by several Bovidae, has been suggested as a potential repellant of tsetse fly attack. Racemic delta-octalactone was synthesized via an abbreviated route. The product was assayed against 3-day old starved teneral female tsetse flies, Glossina morsitans morsitans Wiedemann (Diptera: Glossinidae), in a choice wind tunnel and found to be a potent tsetse repellent at doses >or=0.05 mg in 200 microl of paraffin oil (0.05 >p >0.01).