Natural chemical could help attract and kill pregnant malaria carrying mosquitoes

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. You can change your cookie settings at any time. Otherwise, we'll assume you're OK to continue. Natural chemical could help attract and kill pregnant malaria carrying mosquitoes Researchers have found for the first time that a naturally occurring chemical attracts pregnant malaria-transmitting mosquitoes - a discovery which could boost malaria control efforts. The chemical, cedrol, found in mosquito breeding sites near Africa's Lake Victoria, could be used in traps that would 'attract and kill' the female mosquito, preventing reproduction before she lays hundreds of eggs. This could help stop the spread of malaria which the World Health Organization estimates kills one child every minute. The research involved Durham University's School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences as part of the multinational OviART research group which also includes researchers from the Kenya-based International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology ( icipe ), the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the Swedish Royal Institute of Technology.