Insect Repellents from Ethnobotanical Clues

Charles Cantrell, Research Chemist at the USDA-ARS Natural Products Utilization Research Laboratory in Oxford, Mississippi

Mosquito and tick-borne diseases seriously affect the health of humans and domesticated animals throughout the world. Repellents provide protection against mosquito and tick bites and, consequently, reduce pathogen transmission. Systematically investigating traditional remedies that have been used by native peoples for managing and controlling insect bites has proven to be an excellent source for finding new natural compounds with potential usefulness in repelling biting insects. Examples will be provided for using this approach for the discovery and development of natural product-based insect repellents.

Charles Cantrell is a Research Chemist at the USDA-ARS Natural Products Utilization Research Laboratory in Oxford, Mississippi. He received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Louisiana State University in 1998 followed by postdoctoral research at the National Cancer Institute from 1998 to 2000. At ARS he is responsible for the discovery of natural product-based pest management products. Dr. Cantrell has co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications, 7 book chapters, two US patents and 2 international patents. He served as Associate Editor of Pest Management Science from 2012 to present, and President of the Phytochemical Society of North America in 2010.