attractant

[ uh-trak-tuhnt ]

noun

1. an attracting agent or substance; lure:

   the sex attractant of the cockroach;

   a synthetic attractant used to bait insect traps.

attractant

/ əˈtræktənt /

noun

1. a substance that attracts, esp a chemical ( sex attractant ) produced by an insect and attracting insects of the same species See also pheromone

Word History and Origins

Origin of attractant¹

First recorded in 1810–15; attract + -ant

Example Sentences

Agricultural officials are working to eliminate the infestation by applying a small patch of fruit fly attractant mixed with a very small dose of an organic pesticide, Spinosad, about 8 to 10 feet off the ground on street trees, power poles, street lights and similar surfaces.

From Los Angeles Times

For years, as an early-warning alert system, the county agricultural people had been hanging Medfly traps hither and thither among our pretty, fructiferous trees — little A-frame-shaped cardboard doohickeys with a dab of fly attractant.

From Los Angeles Times

Using an attractant like pinene eliminates the need to hunt for the termites.

From Science Daily

Scientists have discovered the specific enzyme that a species of sandfly uses to produce a pheromone attractant, which could lead to the creation of targeted traps to control them and reduce the spread of the potentially fatal disease, Leishmaniasis.

From Science Daily

The trawl-caught halibut appear to be an attractant to the killer whales because they are designated as a prohibited species and must be discarded after they are brought on board.

From Seattle Times