Field evaluation of efficacy and selectivity of select benzopyranone attractants for anthropophilic malaria vectors in Madagascar.

The fight against malaria vector mosquitoes is an essential strategy for eradicating this disease. Selective capture of anthropophilic Anopheles species is crucial for targeted vector control. In this study, the ability of synthetic attractants, 4-hydroxycoumarin and 7-decyloxychromone, and their combination with CO2 to selectively capture anthropophilic Anopheles species was evaluated in the field. To do this, nocturnal trappings were conducted using CDC light traps in rural area, in the highlands of Madagascar. Each night test, baited and unbaited traps were set up. The results confirm that 4-hydroxycoumarin efficiently and selectively attracts anthropophilic Anopheles (KI = 80%; SI = 5.1). 7-decyloxychromone has a similar attractive effect but with much lower selectivity (KI = 69%; SI = 1.6). The tested mixtures of products did not show any synergistic effect on selectivity for anthropophilic Anopheles species. A decrease or even elimination, in the number of anthropophilic Anopheles was observed during consecutive trapping nights. These results may indicate that using selective synthetic attractants in mass trapping could contribute to reducing malaria vector populations, offering a promising complementary approach for vector control programs.