title: Toward development of neem-based repellents against the Scottish Highland biting midge Culicoides impunctatus.
abstract: Oil of neem, from the tree Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Meliaceae), was evaluated for repellent and antifeedant activity against Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), by three complementary methods with serial dilutions. Electroantennograms revealed the sensitivity of Culicoides nubeculosus (Meigen) females to neem > or = 0.10%. Culicoides impunctatus Goetghebuer females were repelled by > or = 1% in a Y-tube olfactometer, Using a membrane feeder for wild-caught parous females of C. impunctatus, the proportion blood-feeding was significantly reduced by topical applications of neem oil > or = 0.10% concentrations, with blood-feeding completely prevented by > or =1%. On the basis of these response data, we developed 2% neem-based formulations for personal protection against biting midges.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Roslin, Midlothian, UK. alison.blackwell@ed.ac.uk
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blackwell
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: R H C
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Strang
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cole
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002519:Ceratopogonidae / Q000502:physiology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005989:Glycerides / Q000494:pharmacology; D007302:Insect Repellents / Q000494:pharmacology; D012606:Scotland; D013729:Terpenes / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D005989:Glycerides; D007302:Insect Repellents; D013729:Terpenes; C002443:neem oil