Callicarpenal is a terpenoid that has been isolated from plants of the genus ''

Callicarpa ''Callicarpa'' (beautyberry) is a genus of shrubs and small trees in the family Lamiaceae.Heywood, V.H., Brummitt, R.K., Culham, A. & Seberg, O. 2007: Flowering Plant Families of the World. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. They are native to east and ...

'' (beautyberry). It acts as an insect repellent against mosquitoes (''

Aedes aegypti ''Aedes aegypti'', the yellow fever mosquito, is a mosquito that can spread dengue fever, chikungunya, Zika fever, Mayaro and yellow fever viruses, and other disease agents. The mosquito can be recognized by black and white markings on its legs ...

'' and '' Anopheles stephensi'') and fire ants. It also has activity against

tick Ticks (order Ixodida) are parasitic arachnids that are part of the mite superorder Parasitiformes. Adult ticks are approximately 3 to 5 mm in length depending on age, sex, species, and "fullness". Ticks are external parasites, living by ...

s (''

Ixodes scapularis ''Ixodes scapularis'' is commonly known as the deer tick or black-legged tick (although some people reserve the latter term for ''Ixodes pacificus'', which is found on the west coast of the US), and in some parts of the US as the bear tick. It wa ...

'' and ''

Amblyomma americanum ''Amblyomma americanum'', also known as the lone star tick, the northeastern water tick, or the turkey tick, or the "Cricker Tick", is a type of tick indigenous to much of the eastern United States and Mexico, that bites painlessly and commonly ...

''). In comparison to the most commonly used insect repellent,

DEET ''N'',''N''-Diethyl-''meta''-toluamide, also called DEET () or diethyltoluamide, is the most common active ingredient in insect repellents. It is a slightly yellow oil intended to be applied to the skin or to clothing and provides protection ag ...

, callicarpenal is only about 21% less effective at preventing mosquito bites. Callicarpenal was discovered by scientists at the

United States Department of Agriculture The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the United States federal executive departments, federal executive department responsible for developing and executing federal laws related to farming, forestry, rural economic development, ...

Agricultural Research Service The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the principal in-house research agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). ARS is one of four agencies in USDA's Research, Education and Economics mission area. ARS is charged with ext ...

who were inspired by reports that ''

Callicarpa americana ''Callicarpa americana'', the American beautyberry, is an open-habitat, native shrub of the Southern United States which is often grown as an ornamental in gardens and yards. American beautyberries produce large clusters of purple berries, whi ...

'' (American beautyberry) was used as a folk remedy to prevent mosquito bites.

References

External links

* {{Cite web , url = https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/07/060703091932.htm , title = Scientists Confirm Folk Remedy Repels Mosquitoes , publisher = ScienceDaily , date = July 3, 2006 Terpenes and terpenoids Aldehydes Insect repellents