When a cat finds Actinidia polygama, it exhibits characteristic behaviors such as licking and biting leaves, rubbing its face and head against the leaves, and rolling on the leaves.This Actinidia polygama reaction was reported in the 1950s as a phenomenon that occurs when cats sniff multiple chemical components called actinidia polygama.Last year (2021), the research group discovered nepetalactol as a potent active substance that induces the Actinidia polygama reaction.It was reported that this has a mosquito repellent effect, and cats that have reacted with Actinidia polygama are less likely to be bitten by mosquitoes.However, it was unclear why cats constantly lick and chew leaves during the reaction, even though they are carnivorous and do not eat Actinidia polygama.

　The research group focused on the fact that Actinidia polygama leaves damaged by the licking bite of cats emit a peculiar green odor, and investigated the amount of active ingredient released.As a result, the amount of nepetalactol and Actinidia polygama released increased more than 10 times.In addition, the composition ratio of both components released in the damaged leaves changed significantly, and in the experiment, the cat showed a reaction such as rubbing the body for a long time to the side where the composition ratio changed.As a result, it was thought that many active ingredients that repel mosquitoes adhered to the body.

　The research group believes that cats have evolved to make the most effective use of the mosquito repellent component of Actinidia polygama.It is expected that this result will be an important finding in the development of mosquito repellents using nepetalactol.

Paper information:[IScience] Domestic cat damage to plant leaves containing iridoids enhances chemical repellency to pests