Olfactory preferences and chemical differences of fruit odors for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes

Data for behavioral assays associated with "Olfactory preferences and chemical differences of fruit odors for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes."

The data corresponds to the number of mosquitoes attracted to the different traps emitting the fruit odors. Fruits were tested, corresponding to : 1) mangoes: M. indica ‘Ataulfo,’ ‘Tommy Atkins,’ and ‘Keitt,’; 2) guavas: Psidium guajava ‘Pink’ and ‘White’; 3) plums: Prunus salicinia ‘Santa Rosa,’ and ‘Burgundy,’; 4) peaches: P. persica ‘White Lady,’ and ‘Monroe’; 5) nectarines: P. persica variety (var) nucipersica ‘Fantasia,’ and ‘Snow Queen’; 6) bananas and plantains: Musa acuminata ‘Cavendish,’ and M. x paradisiaca; 7) pears: Pyrus communis ‘Williams,’ and Pyrus pyrifolia ‘Korean’; 8) date palms: Phoenix dactylifera ‘Barhi’ and ‘Medjool’; 9) tomatoes: Lycopersicon esculentum; and 10) lemons: Citrus limon.

The cell values correspond to the number of mosquitoes attracted to the traps, where each cell is an individual trial and the mean+/-SEM is also included. To measure the preference of female and male mosquitoes towards fruit odors, a two-choice behavior assay was created consisting of a cage (Bugdorm, 60cm x 60cm x 60cm) with two smaller traps (35 cm long) placed inside (Fig 1A). Both traps contained an opaque glass chamber where the whole fruit or a negative control (10% sugar cotton ball) was placed. This chamber was connected by a polytetrafluoroethylene tube to a funnel trap, allowing odor from the fruit or control to passively enter the trap from the first chamber. Mosquitoes were allowed to choose between experimental and control traps, and if attracted, readily navigated and flew into the opening of the trap. The experiment lasted for 48 hours. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Matlab software, v2020b (Mathworks, Natick, MA, USA). The response variable for the behavioral preference assays was the number of mosquitoes in each trap. Non-parametric Mann-Whitney U-tests were deemed suitable, given the lack of normality for within-genera and within-species comparisons. A significant criterion of 0.05 was used for all statistical testing, except those involving multiple comparisons where the criterion was adjusted.