Mosquito attractant formulations and uses thereof

Abstract

There is herein provided a mosquito attractant formulation comprising: (a) an aldehyde component; (b) a first monoterpene component; and (c) a second monoterpene component, wherein components (a) to (c) are defined in the description provided herein, 5 and products, uses and methods relating to the same. There is also herein provided the use of the compound HMBPP as a phagostimulant, and products and methods relating to the same.

1 . A mosquito attractant formulation comprising components:
 (a) an aldehyde component comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of
 (i) octanal, 
 (ii) nonanal, and 
 (iii) decanal; 
   (b) a first monoterpene component comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of
 (I) α-pinene, and 
 (II) β-pinene; and 
   (c) a second monoterpene component comprising the compound limonene.   
     
     
         2 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the aldehyde component comprises at least octanal. 
     
     
         3 . The formulation of  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the first monoterpene component comprises at least α-pinene. 
     
     
         4 . The formulation of any one of  claims 1  to  3 , wherein:
 (a) the aldehyde component comprises each of the compounds
 (i) octanal, 
 (ii) nonanal, and 
 (iii) decanal; and/or 
 
 (b) the first monoterpene component comprises each of the compounds
 (I) α-pinene, and 
 (II) β-pinene. 
 
 
     
     
         5 . The formulation of any one of  claims 1  to  4 , wherein the formulation comprises:
 from about 50% to about 80% by weight of the compounds forming the aldehyde component; 
 from about 5% to about 20% by weight of the compounds forming the first monoterpene component; and/or 
 from about 10% to about 30% by weight of the compounds forming the second monoterpene component, 
 
       wherein the percentage by weight refers to the total combined weight of each of those three components as comprised in the formulation. 
     
     
         6 . The formulation of any one of  claims 1  to  5 , wherein:
 (a) the aldehyde component consists essentially of each of the compounds
 (i) octanal, 
 (ii) nonanal, and 
 (iii) decanal; 
 
 (b) the first monoterpene component consists essentially of each of the compounds
 (I) α-pinene, and 
 (II) β-pinene; and/or 
 
 (c) the second monoterpene component consists essentially of limonene. 
 
     
     
         7 . The formulation of any one of  claims 1  to  6 , wherein the formulation comprises or consists essentially of each of the compounds in amounts as indicated in the table below as a percentage of the total combined weight of those compounds as comprised in the formulation: 
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   Compound 
                   % by weight 
                 
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   Octanal 
                   from about 0 to about 80 
                 
                     
                   Nonanal 
                   from about 0 to about 80 
                 
                     
                   Decanal 
                   from about 0 to about 80 
                 
                     
                   α-pinene 
                   from about 5 to about 15 
                 
                     
                   β-pinene 
                   from about 0 to about 10 
                 
                     
                   Limonene 
                   from about 10 to about 30 
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
               
               
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         8 . The formulation of any one of  claims 1  to  7 , wherein the formulation comprises the compounds specified and further comprises one or more additional component selected from the list consisting of: preservatives, stabilizing agents, anti-oxidants, colourants, solvents and gelling agents. 
     
     
         9 . The formulation of any one of  claims 1  to  7 , wherein the formulation is provided in liquid form. 
     
     
         10 . The formulation of  claim 9 , wherein the formulation is provided as a solution in a suitable solvent. 
     
     
         11 . The formulation of any one of  claims 1  to  10 , wherein the combined weight of components (a), (b) and (c) as defined in any one of  claims 1  to  10  is at least 10% of the total weight of the formulation. 
     
     
         12 . The formulation of any one of  claims 1  to  11 , wherein the formulation is provided in conjunction with a suitable solid or semi-solid carrier. 
     
     
         13 . The formulation of  claim 13 , wherein the suitable solid or semi-solid carrier is:
 a wax, wax-like, gel or gel like material;   an absorbent solid material or material capable of having the formulation adsorbed thereon; or   a solid matrix capable of having the formulation contained therein.   
     
     
         14 . The formulation of  claim 13 , wherein the formulation is provided in conjunction with a wax or wax-like carrier. 
     
     
         15 . The use of a formulation as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  14  as a mosquito attractant. 
     
     
         16 . The use of  claim 15 , wherein the use forms part of a method of trapping and/or killing mosquitoes. 
     
     
         17 . A method of attracting and, optionally, trapping and/or killing mosquitoes, wherein the method comprises the step of providing a mosquito attractant formulation as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  14 . 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the method is for trapping mosquitoes and the formulation is provided as part of a suitable mosquito trapping device. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  or  18 , wherein the method comprises the step of providing a source of gaseous carbon dioxide and/or an agonist for the mosquito carbon dioxide receptor. 
     
     
         20 . A kit-of-parts comprising each of the compounds required in the components of the formulation as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  14 . 
     
     
         21 . A combination product or kit-of-parts comprising:
 (A) a formulation as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  14  or a kit-of-parts as claimed in  claim 20 ; and   (B) a source of gaseous carbon dioxide and/or an agonist for the mosquito carbon dioxide receptor.   
     
     
         22 . The use of the compound (E)-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-but-2-enyl pyrophosphate (HMBPP) as a phagostimulant in mosquitoes. 
     
     
         23 . The use of  claim 22 , wherein the use is in combination with, or as part of formulation further comprising, a mosquito and/or parasite control agent. 
     
     
         24 . A combination product or kit-of parts comprising:
 (A) (E)-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-but-2-enyl pyrophosphate (HMBPP); and   (B) an effective amount of a mosquito and/or parasite control agent.   
     
     
         25 . The combination product or kit-of-parts of  claim 24 , wherein the product or kit further comprises a mosquito attractant. 
     
     
         26 . The combination product or kit-of-parts of  claim 25 , wherein the mosquito attractant is a formulation as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  14 . 
     
     
         27 . The combination product of any one of  claims 24  to  26 , wherein the product comprises at least 1% of HMBPP by weight of the product. 
     
     
         28 . A method of killing mosquitoes wherein the method comprises the step of providing a combination product as claimed in any one of  claims 24  to  27 . 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the product is provided as part of a suitable mosquito trapping device. 
     
     
         30 . A formulation, use, method, combination or kit-of-parts substantially as described herein, with reference to the examples.