Teasing apart the behavioral responses of Culex tarsalis to fish-associated semiochemicals in wind tunnel bioassays

The Western encephalitis mosquito, Culex tarsalis, has been shown to respond to the presence of fish-associated semiochemicals in oviposition sites by decreasing the number of egg rafts laid, in both laboratory and field bioassays.  The decrease in oviposition rate has been attributed to the presence of different classes of chemical compounds in the fish semiochemcial water.  Whether or not the compounds present act solely as long or short-range deterrents has not been determined. In wind tunnel bioassays, we tested the responses to specific compounds in concert with the Culex egg raft pheromone, and alone, to determine the affect on female oviposition behavior.