Compositions and Methods for Attracting Mosquitoes and Repelling Sand Flies

Abstract

Compositions and methods for affecting dipteran hematophagous parasites. The compositions contain at least one dipteran semiochemical and at least one phagostimulant. The compositions may further include a pesticide. The semiochemical may be a floral attractant and the phagostimulants may be sugar-based. The compositions may be useful in attracting mosquitoes and/or repelling sand flies.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition for attracting mosquitos and repelling sand flies, the composition comprising at least one dipteran floral attractant semiochemical. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a phagostimulant. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a pesticide. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1  comprising: 
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   linalool 
                   5%-25% by weight; 
                 
                     
                   phenylacetaldehyde 
                   5%-45% by weight; 
                 
                     
                   β-myrcene 
                   0%-50% by weight; 
                 
                     
                   anethole 
                   5%-45% by weight; 
                 
                     
                   anisic acid methyl ester 
                   0%-25% by weight; 
                 
                     
                   phenethyl alcohol 
                   1%-35% by weight; 
                 
                     
                   caryophyllene 
                   2%-20% by weight; 
                 
                     
                   4-methoxybenzyl alcohol 
                   1%-25% by weight; 
                 
                     
                   methyl salicylate 
                   0.1%-20% by weight;     
                 
                     
                   γ-terpinene 
                   1%-45% by weight; 
                 
                     
                   α-terpinene 
                   1%-45% by weight; 
                 
                     
                   limonene 
                         5%-30% by weight; and 
                 
                     
                   BHT 
                   1%-25% by weight. 
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
               
               
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 4  further comprising: 
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   eugenol or clove oil 
                   0.001%-50% by weight; and 
                 
                     
                   guava oil or guava juice 
                   0.001%-50% by weight.        
                 
                     
                   or guava extract 
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
               
               
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1  comprising: 
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   linalool 
                   5%-25% by weight; 
                 
                     
                   phenylacetaldehyde 
                   5%-45% by weight; 
                 
                     
                   β-myrcene 
                   0%-50% by weight; 
                 
                     
                   citronella oil 
                   5%-45% by weight; 
                 
                     
                   eucalyptol 
                   5%-25% by weight; 
                 
                     
                   geraniol 
                   10%-20% by weight;  
                 
                     
                   camphene 
                   5%-30% by weight; 
                 
                     
                   ocimene 
                   1%-45% by weight; 
                 
                     
                   anethole 
                   5%-45% by weight; 
                 
                     
                   anisic acid methyl ester 
                   0%-25% by weight; 
                 
                     
                   phenethyl alcohol 
                   1%-35% by weight; 
                 
                     
                   caryophyllene 
                   2%-20% by weight; 
                 
                     
                   4-methoxybenzyl alcohol 
                   1%-15% by weight; 
                 
                     
                   methyl salicylate 
                   0.1%-20% by weight;     
                 
                     
                   γ-terpinene 
                   1%-45% by weight; 
                 
                     
                   α-terpinene 
                   1%-45% by weight; 
                 
                     
                   limonene 
                   5%-30% by weight; 
                 
                     
                   BHT 
                   1%-25% by weight; 
                 
                     
                   dipentene 
                   1%-15% by weight; 
                 
                     
                   sugars 
                   5%-60% by weight; 
                 
                     
                   thickeners 
                   0.5%-5% by weight;  
                 
                     
                   preservatives 
                    0%-2% by weight; 
                 
                     
                   antioxidants 
                   0.1%-15% by weight;     
                 
                     
                   sunlight stabilizer 
                   0.1%-10% by weight;     
                 
                     
                   wax 
                   2%-40% by weight; 
                 
                     
                   emulsifier 
                   0.5%-5% by weight;  
                 
                     
                   soybean oil 
                         1%-40% by weight; and 
                 
                     
                   liquid carrier 
                   1%-70% by weight. 
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
               
               
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 6  further comprising: 
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   eugenol or clove oil 
                   0.001%-50% by weight; and 
                 
                     
                   guava oil or guava juice 
                   0.001%-50% by weight.        
                 
                     
                   or guava extract 
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
               
               
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the semiochemical is contained within a substrate selected from the group consisting of a wax emulsion, microspheres, a latex solution, hot melt glue, a resin, and plastic flakes. 
     
     
         9 . A composition for attracting, repelling, and/or disrupting the mating of dipteran hematophagous parasites comprising:
 at least one dipteran semiochemical; and   at least one phagostimulant.   
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein the semiochemical is a floral attractant. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein the phagostimulant is sugar-based. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein the semiochemical is a mosquito attractant. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein the semiochemical is a sand fly repellant. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein the semiochemical and phagostimulant are contained within a substrate selected from the group consisting of a wax emulsion, microspheres, a latex solution, hot melt glue, a resin, and plastic flakes. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 9  further comprising a pesticide. 
     
     
         16 . A method of attracting mosquitoes and repelling sand flies comprising:
 administering a composition to a region known or suspected to contain dipteran hematophagous parasites, the composition comprising at least one dipteran floral attractant semiochemical that attracts mosquitoes and repels sand flies.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the step of monitoring the population of dipteran hematophagous parasites. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the composition further comprises a pesticide. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the composition does not negatively impact honey bee populations. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the composition is administered in a form selected from the group consisting of a sprayable form, a monolithic lure, and a sticky trap adhesive.