Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Brett,, G.A.

doi: 10.1016/S0035-9203(38)90101-4pmid: N/A

Abstract A method is described of comparing the attractiveness of different coloured cloths as alighting surfaces for mosquitoes when about to feed. The mosquito used was Aëdes aegypti. It showed a preference for surfaces with a low reflection factor, especially Black. Red was more attractive than several colours with a lower reflection factor. Blue was more repellent than several colours with a higher reflection factor. Light Yellowish Khaki was the most repellent colour. Yellow was also strongly repellent. The mosquitoes were not prevented from alighting by a repellent colour, but the number doing so was reduced. When no attractive colour was present the reduction was small. Statistical analyses of the results showed that most of the differences were significant, and demonstrated conclusively that this mosquito has colour vision and a colour preference as mentioned above. Further work is necessary before any detailed statement can be made about the type of colour vision possessed by this insect. References Brighenti, 1930 Brighenti Dino . Ricerche sulla attrazione esercitata dai colori sugli anofeli , Riv. Malariol , 1930 , vol. 9 pg. 224 OpenURL Placeholder Text WorldCat Eckstein, 1920 Eckstein F. . Aus einer Feldstation für Steckmucken , Z. angew. Ent. , 1920 , vol. 6 pg. 338 Google Scholar Crossref Search ADS WorldCat Gorldi, 1905 Gorldi E.A. . Os mosquitos no Para Reuniao de gutro trabalhos sobre os mosquitos indigenas, principalmente os especies que molestam homen , Mem. Mus. Goeldi (paraense) , 1905 , vol. 4 pg. 154 Google Scholar Google Preview OpenURL Placeholder Text WorldCat COPAC Headlee, 1937 Headlee T.J. . Some facts underlying the attraction of mosquitoes to sources of radiant energy , J. econ. Ent. Monacha, Wis. , 1937 , vol. 30 pg. 309 Google Scholar Crossref Search ADS WorldCat Howlett, 1910 Howlett F.M. . The influence of temperature upon the biting of mosquitoes , Parasitology , 1910 , vol. 3 pg. 477 OpenURL Placeholder Text WorldCat Int. Comm. Photomet., 1931 Int. Comm. Photomet. , 1931 Meteorological Office, 1931 Meteorological Office . Hygrometric Tables , 1931 3rd Edition M.O. 265 Reuter, 1936 Reuter J. . Orientecrend onderzoek naar de oorzaak van het gedrag van Anopheles maculipennis Meigen bij de voedselkenze , Proefschr. Rijksnniv. , 1936 pg. 118 Leiden OpenURL Placeholder Text WorldCat Rudolfs, 1922 Rudolfs W. . Chemotropism of mosquitoes , Bull. N.J. Agric. Exp. stas. , 1922 No. 367 March, 1922 OpenURL Placeholder Text WorldCat Smith and Guild, 1932 Smith T. , Guild J. . The C.I.E. colorimetric standards and their use , Trans. opt. Soc., Lond. , 1932 , vol. 33 pg. 73 Google Scholar Crossref Search ADS WorldCat Tippett and Tippett, 1931 Tippett L.H.C. . Methods of Statistics , 1931 London Williams & Norgate, Ltd., pg. 48 1931 Tippett L.H.C. . Methods of Statistics , 1931 London Williams & Norgate, Ltd., pg. 51 Ltd., 1931 Wright, 1929 Wright W.D. . A redetermination of the trichromatic mixture data , Med. Res. Coun. Lond., Special Report Series , 1929 No. 139 OpenURL Placeholder Text WorldCat This content is only available as a PDF. Author notes ∗ " I have to thank Mr. B. Jobling of this Laboratory, who suggested this work, and under whose direction it was carried out. My thanks are also due to Dr. J. C. Broom of the Wellcome Bureau of Scientific Research for much help and advice over the statistical part of this paper, and to Dr. W. D. Wright of the Imperial College of Science and Technology, South Kensington, for making the trichromatic colour measurements for me, and for much advice as to the best way of making use of them. I should like to express my appreciation of the patience with which both of them have dealt with my very numerous inquiries.