Martin T. Mwangi, Nicholas K. Gikonyo, Isaiah O. Ndiege
Journal of Insect Science 8 (43), 1-4, (1 May 2008) https://doi.org/10.1673/031.008.4301
KEYWORDS: allomone, bioassay, choice wind tunnel, olfaction, racemic δ-octalactone synthesis
δ-octalactone, produced by several Bovidae, has been suggested as a potential repellant of tsetse fly attack. Racemic δ-octalactone was synthesized via an abbreviated route. The product was assayed against 3-day old starved teneral female tsetse flies, Glossina morsitans morsitans Wiedemann (Diptera: Glossinidae), in a choice wind tunnel and found to be a potent tsetse repellent at doses ≥0.05 mg in 200 µl of paraffin oil (0.05 >p >0.01).