UW Researchers Identify Mosquito Receptor for Plant-Based Repellents

Discovery could lead to more effective and affordable mosquito control products.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 12:55pm

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Researchers at the University of Washington have identified a specific sensory receptor in mosquitoes that allows them to detect and avoid borneol, a common compound found in plant-based repellents like rosemary and camphor. The study, published in Nature Communications, found that this receptor, called OR49, triggers a 'push' signal in the mosquito's brain when it encounters borneol, prompting the insect to fly away. Disabling the OR49 gene caused the mosquitoes' neurons to stop responding to the compound, indicating its importance in the insects' avoidance behavior.

Why it matters

Mosquitoes transmit dangerous diseases like dengue and yellow fever, making effective repellents critical for public health. By identifying the specific receptor responsible for detecting plant-based repellents, researchers can now work on developing even more potent and long-lasting alternatives to current mosquito control products.

The details

The study, led by University of Washington biology professor Jeffrey Riffell, found that mosquitoes possess a single odor receptor called OR49 that allows them to sense and avoid the compound borneol, which is found in many plant-based repellents. When this receptor is activated by borneol, it triggers a neural response that causes the mosquito to fly away. The researchers demonstrated the importance of OR49 by disabling the gene, which resulted in the mosquitoes no longer responding to or avoiding the repellent compound.

  • The study was published in the scientific journal Nature Communications on April 6, 2026.

The players

University of Washington

A public research university located in Seattle, Washington, known for its work in fields like biology and medicine.

Jeffrey Riffell

A biology professor at the University of Washington and co-author of the study identifying the mosquito receptor for plant-based repellents.

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What they’re saying

“By identifying the odorant receptor, we can now develop and test repellents that are even more effective than borneol.”

— Jeffrey Riffell, Biology Professor, University of Washington

What’s next

Researchers plan to use the discovery of the OR49 receptor to develop new, more potent mosquito repellents based on plant-derived compounds.

The takeaway

This breakthrough in understanding how mosquitoes detect and avoid plant-based repellents could lead to the creation of cheaper, longer-lasting, and more pleasant-smelling mosquito control products, which are crucial for preventing the spread of deadly diseases transmitted by these insects.