Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes Learn to Seek DEET After 4 Feeding Sessions
Updated
Updated · Nautilus · May 27
Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes Learn to Seek DEET After 4 Feeding Sessions
11 articles · Updated · Nautilus · May 27
University of Virginia researchers found Aedes aegypti mosquitoes became attracted to DEET after repeated pairing with a food reward, reversing the repellent’s usual effect.
After 4 training sessions, 60% of the mosquitoes flew toward DEET even without blood present, and the same conditioning appeared in tests using a DEET-soaked human hand.
The learned response also worked when sugar replaced blood, suggesting mosquitoes can link DEET’s smell broadly with feeding rewards rather than with blood alone.
Researchers said the finding does not displace DEET as the leading repellent, but it raises the risk that fading concentrations could let mosquitoes feed and reinforce that attraction.
With warm, humid conditions expected under a super El Niño, the study points to more frequent reapplication as a practical way to keep DEET continuously effective.
If DEET can become an attractant, what is the best way to stay safe?
As a super El Niño fuels a mosquito surge, is our top repellent failing?