Identification of an arthropod molecular target for plant-derived natural repellents

<p><span>Arthropods maintain ecosystem balance, while also contribute to disease spreading. Plant-derived natural repellents represent an ecological way of pest control, but their direct molecular targets in arthropods remain to be further elucidated. Occupying a critical phylogenetic niche in arthropod evolution, scorpions retain an ancestral genetic </span><span>profile</span><span>. Here, using a behavior-guided screening of the <em>Mesobuthus martensii</em> genome, we identif</span><span>ied</span><span> a scorpion transient receptor potential (sTRP1) channel </span><span>that</span><span> senses <em>Cymbopogon</em>-derived natural repellents, while insensitive to the synthetic chemical pesticide DEET. Scrutinizing orthologs of sTRP1 in <em>Drosophila melanogaster</em>, we further demonstrated dTRP</span>ϒ <span>ion channel also as a chemosensory receptor of natural repellents to mediate avoidance behavior. This study sheds light on arthropod molecular targets of natural repellents, exemplifying the arthropod-plant adaptation. It should also help the rational design of insect control strategy and conserve biodiversity.</span></p>