An olfactometer for discriminating between attraction, inhibition, and repellency in mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

We constructed an olfactometer that differentiates and quantifies attraction, inhibition, and repellency to mosquitoes. Using this device, 22 formulations of various chemicals on gauze pads and 8 dilutions of DEET on skin were tested. Four novel formulations were discovered acting as true repellents, whereas DEET did not act as a true repellent but as an inhibitor.