Oviposition response of Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) renei (Martins, Falcão & Silva) (Diptera: Psychodidae) to extracts of conspecific eggs in laboratory bioassays

In this study bioassays were carried out to evaluate the possible attractive and/or stimulant effect of extracts of the eggs of gravid female Lutzomyia renei. The response to the oviposition pheromone by L. renei was not as marked as that found for L. longipalpis and Phlebotomus papatasi. Extracts equivalent to 100 or 200 eggs did not produce a perceptible attraction and/or stimulation to oviposit, although extracts of 1000 eggs did produce a slight attractive response. Chemical analysis of L. renei egg extracts revealed the presence of various fatty acids and complementary bioassay experiments are needed to prove a possible stimulant effect.