Study: Mosquitoes may learn to associate Deet with blood meals
The Story
A new study suggests that mosquitoes can learn to associate the insect repellent Deet with the possibility of a blood meal, potentially making the chemical attractive to them after exposure. Researchers from the University of Tours in France observed that 60% of mosquitoes that fed on warm blood alongside Deet later attempted to bite when exposed to Deet alone, compared to lower percentages in control groups. The findings, published in the Journal of Experimental Biology, indicate that the reaction to repellents can be modified by experience. However, experts emphasized that Deet does not lose effectiveness through normal use and that travelers should continue using the repellent as directed. The study’s lead author, Prof Claudio Lazzari, noted that it was challenging to make mosquitoes feed in the presence of Deet initially. Dr Nina Stanczyk of ETH Zürich described the learning ability as remarkable but stressed the importance of regular reapplication.
Key Facts
- Deet (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) is widely used in insect repellents.
- A new study from the University of Tours, France, published in the Journal of Experimental Biology, examined mosquito behavior.
- 60% of mosquitoes that fed on warm blood while exposed to Deet later showed biting attempts when exposed to Deet alone.
- In another test, nearly 60% of trained mosquitoes attempted to bite a Deet-treated hand, while untrained mosquitoes avoided it.
- Experts stated that Deet does not lose effectiveness under normal use and that travelers should reapply repellent as directed.
Conflicting Reports
No conflicting reports identified in the source article.
Still Unclear
The source article does not clarify how long the learned association lasts in mosquitoes or whether it would occur under typical outdoor conditions.
Misconceptions
No widespread misconceptions addressed in the source article.
Key Figures
- Prof Claudio Lazzari, University of Tours, France (lead researcher)
- Dr Nina Stanczyk, ETH Zürich university (commented on the research)
- Prof Francesca Romana Dani, entomologist at the University of Florence (commented on the study)
Sources: The Guardian
