BAKERS-YEAST, AN ATTRACTANT FOR BAITING TRAPS FOR CHAGAS-DISEASE VECTORS

We tested the attraction of volatile compounds, produced by the aerobi c growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on saccharose for Triatoma infest ans. For these tests, we exploited the behavioural characteristic of t hese haematophagous insects of dropping when searching for food. In ol factometer assays, yeast cultures activated and attracted bugs as effe ctively as a mouse. The attraction of the cultures was significantly r educed when the carbon dioxide released was partially eliminated using potassium hydroxide. Yeast cultures were also tested as lures in a no vel trap device. A baited device for trapping Chagas' disease vectors using the behavioural peculiarities of T. infestans and this simple at tractant is described.