The use of Solid Phase MicroExtraction (SPME) devices in analysis for potential mosquito oviposition attractant chemicals from cyanobacterial mats

Females of Anopheles albimanus mosquito are known to prefer floating cyanobacterial mats over open water for oviposition. We used Solid Phase MicroExtraction (SPME) devices on-site to trap substances volatilized from these two environments, followed by analysis by GC-MS (gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer). In enclosed headspace field microcosms, an unidentified C-15 aliphatic alcohol was persistently found over cyanobacterial mats as compared to open water. Based on this finding, we conducted oviposition experiments using a commercially available compound, n-pentadecanol, close in molecular weight and mass spectral pattern to the unknown C-15 aliphatic alcohol. The results indicate a tendency of female mosquito to oviposit more eggs in containers with the tested chemical as compared to water and blank.