Neuromolecular basis of repellent action

Physical contact is not required for insect repellents to affect mosquito behavior; N, N-diethyl3-methylbenzamide (deet) not only interferes with the detection of host and oviposition sites,1 suggesting the involvement of the olfactory pathway, but also deters feeding,2 perhaps indicating the involvement of the gustatory sense.3 However, the broad activity of these compounds and their required quantities to repel arthropods are puzzling characteristics. More confounding is the fact that deet and other insect repellents do not prevent long-range attraction but rather perturb mosquito behavior at relatively close ranges.4.