Research Associate
College of Notre Dame
1407 N. Charles Street
Baltimore MD 21210
Research Interests
Research in collaboration with Walter Reed Army Medical Research Institute, Department of Entomology, on the identification of chemical deterrents of mosquitoes, sandflies, and ticks.
Current Research Projects
Endogenously produced chemicals (from skin glands) and exogenously acquired chemicals (from materials used in anointing) are used by vertebrates to deter ectoparasites. Various pelage extracts and compounds from plants used in anointing are tested for activity against mosquitoes, sandflies, and ticks.
Compounds from plants used by carnivores, primates, and birds for anointing are being analyzed and tested for mosquito anti-feeding activity.
Behavioral studies are in progress to identify the chemicals that elicit self-anointing in primates, carnivores, and birds.
Recent Publications
Weldon, P.J. et al. 2003. Benzoquinones from millipedes deter mosquitoes and elicit self-anointing in capuchin monkeys (Cebus spp.). Naturwissenschaften 90: 301-304.
Weldon, P.J. 2004. Defensive anointing: Extended chemical phenotype and unorthodox ecology. Chemoecology 14:1-4.
Ishii et al. 2004. Absolute configuration of a hydroxyfuranoid acid from the pelage of the genus Bos, 18-(6S,9R,10R)-bovidic acid. J. Nat. Prod. 67: 200-205.
Weldon, P. J. and Carroll, J. 2007. Vertebrate chemical defense: secreted and topically acquired deterrents of arthropods. In: Insect Repellents: Principles, Methods, and Uses. M. Debboun, S. P. Frances, and D. Strickman (eds.). CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.
Updated -11/09/07
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