In terms of the likes of y-tube or 4-way olfactometer experiments with insects for host location and testing host preference, there seems to be a lot variation in the literature as to whether dry or humidified air is used, and almost nothing addressing what actual % humidity the air was! Is the humidity just to prevent the insect drying out? Or can it also influence the host attraction?
humidity is not a critical factor in determining sensory irritation thresholds for ammonia, and future studies will examine if these findings are transferable to sensory irritation thresholds for other chemicals
Hi Andrew,
there are a number of examples showing that atmospheric factors such as air moisture levels and barometric pressure can influence the results of olfactometer or 'wind tunnel' choice experiments (see ref below). I'm not sure if this is because humid air changes how volatiles are carried in the air, or perceived by the insect, or, maybe more likely, changes the propensity of the insects to move, especially to fly.
Probably the best way to answer the question is to run your trials under a range of conditions!!
cheers
Simon
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1570-7458.1992.tb01571.x/abstract
Thanks Simon! That article had escaped my searches so far, just what I was after
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