3 

 These differences most likely result from the differences in sensilla. For example, 



species which are more dependent on olfactory cues will contain a greater proportion 



of chemosensilla versus mechanosensilla than for a species dependent primarily on 



physical cues. Understanding mosquito attraction necessitates an understanding of 



the physiological function of mosquito sensory organs. 



Mosquito Physiology 



Much research has been conducted on mosquitoes with the primary focus 

 affixed upon characterizing the finding and selection of hosts. The use of scanning 

 and transmission electron microscopy as well as electrophysiology has greatly 

 expanded the understanding of mosquito sensory physiology [4]. The mosquito 

 nervous system consists of three systems: the central nervous system (CNS) (brain, 

 ventral nerve cord, ganglia), the stomodaeal nervous system (various ganglia and 

 nerves), and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) (motor and sensory neurons, sense 

 organs). The system most directly pertaining to host attractant/repellent stimuli 

 responses is the PNS; the fundamental components of the PNS are examined in the 

 following sections. 

 Characteristics of gender and species 



The gender differences between male and female mosquitoes, for most 

 species, lie in the host-seeking behavior of females. Generally only females take 

 blood-meals, which are necessary for egg production. Both genders will feed on 

 nectar. Males will respond to wingbeat frequency of females to orient towards the 



