Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi! I am doing an experiment involving mosquito repellant. I am comparing cintronella, versus a DEET based repellant, but I am not sure how to proceed. I don't want to use humans in my experiment, or anything along that nature. I'm not really sure how to go about testing the repellants. Any help would be MUCH appreciated.

Thank you.

Project Due Date: I have 3 weeks to complete my project, although I know I can get the time extended if I need to.

Hi! Thanks for coming to us for help. Check out this similar project: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p026.shtml.
How can you adapt that protocol to what you would like to do? Let's discuss!
Veronica

Hi Veronica,

Thank you for finding that project for me! I just don't know exactly how to incorporate that into what I'm trying to do. Mosquitoes can fly, so it would be more difficult to catch them. If I could find a way to catch them, I could change the apparatus to better suit mosquitoes.

What do you think?

Thanks again!

Aly

Hi Aly,
Regarding catching flies- see link below on how to catch fruit flies, I think this might work. What do you think? I will be able to help more over the weekend. We can come up with a protocol for your experiments. What did you think of the information on the link below?
Veronica

http://homegrownscientists.org/biology/ ... nas-2.html

Another comment, I think for your experiments you should use fruit flies instead of mosquitos. Your experiments will probably be safer that way. While fruit flies feed on fruits/food, some mosquitos feed on blood. Since fruit flies and mosquitos are somewhat related organisms (http://www.sciencealert.com.au/news/20112403-21984.html), you can probably argue that your findings will also apply to mosquitos. Also, it seems flies will be easier to catch as well.
Veronica

Hello Aly,

Wanting to work on how to repel mosquitoes is a great project. It has worldwide implications as mosquito bites are a very serious health issue for many populations since those insect can transmit malaria for example.

I think Veronica has a point when she suggest that you could switch to fruit flies if you don't want to use humans (although I'm sure your family would be thrilled to be asked to wear different insect repellent at the barbecues this summer ) as mosquitoes are not easy to catch for your experiment.

I want to underscore that you would have to be careful in your conclusions though. Even if fruit flies and mosquitoes are related as Veronica pointed it out, their sensory system diverged somehow. For example, mosquitoes are attracted by carbon dioxide produced by human and other animals, whereas fruit flies are repelled by it. So if your experiment would be a good way to start screening for insects repellents, you should mention that to ensure the compounds you finally selected as working best are useful against mosquitoes, they should ultimately also be tested specifically on mosquitoes.

I wish you good luck on your experiments, and don't hesitate to ask more questions if you need to!

Heloise

Thank you, Veronica and Heloise! My teacher agrees that fruit flies would be better than mosquitoes. I'm going to begin my project now, and I'll probably have more questions, so thanks again!

Aly

Glad we could be of help. Keep us posted!!
Happy Research!
Veronica