By following the “nose” of fruit flies, scientists are on the trail of new insect repellents that may reduce the spread of infectious disease and damage to agricultural crops. That’s because they’ve learned for the first time how a group of genes used to differentiate smells is turned on and off, opening new possibilities for insect control. Researchers can target these or similar genes in other insects to create substances that make crops and people “invisible” to insect antennae. Without the ability to smell correctly, the insects are far less likely to attack a person or plant, as is the case with mosquitoes whose ability to smell lactic acid is disrupted by the active ingredient in insect repellents, DEET.

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