Abstract:
The oil derived from the leaves of a deciduous shrub, Myrica gale, has been evaluated as a repellent against the Scottish biting midge, Culicoides impuncatus, and other haematophagous pests of man and livestock. Electrophysiological recording of responses from insect antennae (electroantennograms) demonstrated enhanced sensitivity to the odour of M. gale oil, compared to other repellents. Behavioural studies in an olfactometer also demonstrated an increased level of repellency to the odour of M. gale oil. Based on these and other results, a commercial repellent for the Scottish biting midge was launched in 1995 (Callanish Myrica), and the prospects for increased use of M. gale as a repellent are discussed.
THE REPELLENT PROPERTIES OF MYRICA GALE TO HAEMATOPHAGOUS INSECT PESTS OF MAN
Year: 1996
Keywords: shrub, bog myrtle, biting midge, culicoides, olfactometer
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