Innate preference for host-odor blends modulates degree of anthropophagy of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (Diptera : Culicidae)

Infield studies, Anopheles gambiae Giles sensu stricto obtains most blood m eals from humans, whereas Anopheles quadriannulatus Theobald bites predomin antly bovids. We investigated whether host odors modulate the host preferen ce of these mosquito species. In a dual-choice olfactometer, mosquitoes wer e given a choice between clean air and putative host-specific odor blends. An. gambiae chose 'human odor' over clean air and clean air over 'cow odor. ' Although Anopheles quadriannulatus did not choose cow odor over clean air , it chose clean air over humus odor. Cheese odor, which attracted An. gamb iae, did not result in higher trap catch of An. quadriannulatus. We conclud e that the degree of anthropophagy of An. gambiae s.l. has an innate olfact ory basis.