Chapter 26, Problem 1AC

Summary Introduction

To design:

A mosquito trap or killer that uses the innate behavior of both the mosquito and moth trap.

Introduction:

The high-pitched whine of female mosquito attracts male mosquitoes and the only blood-sucking sex in mosquitoes is female which are attracted to humidity, carbon dioxide, and warmth released by the prey. This is the innate behavior of both the male and female mosquitoes which can be used to design a mosquito trap.

Explanation of Solution

A trap can be designed which is comprised of humidified chamber. Carbon dioxide can be pumped into the chamber continuously and the temperature of the chamber can be maintained by using a thermostat and setting the temperature to $\text{37°C (celsius)}$. All these conditions are searched by female mosquito and will act as the trap. This trap can be fitted with electrically live wires.

Along with such conditions, a device producing an equal frequency whining sound can be placed inside the chamber, which will attract the male mosquitoes. As the mosquitoes will hit the trap, they will be killed by the electric current running in the electrically live wires.

The female moths produce a chemical named bombykol pheromone which attracts male moths. The antennae of male moths have pheromone-binding proteins. A plant named Honeysuckle can be used to attract female moths. A trap can be designed containing a Honeysuckle plant and electrically live wires. The females will get attracted towards the plant and will die after getting struck with electric current. A device can be inserted which releases bombykol like chemical to which males will get attracted and will be killed by striking the electrically live wire.

Conclusion

A trap can be constructed with humidified chamber having a thermostat and a device producing equal frequency of whining sound. The carbon dioxide can be pumped continuously. The female mosquitoes will get attracted towards humidity, carbon dioxide, and temperature and the male will get attracted to whine. An electrically live wire can be placed to kill mosquitoes.

Female moths are attracted to Honeysuckle plant and the males are attracted to the bombykol pheromone released by females. A trap can be designed which contains a Honeysuckle plant, electrically live wires, and a device emitting bombykol like a pheromone. Males will get attracted to bombykol, whereas the female will get attracted to plant and both will get killed after striking electrically live wire.