Recent evidence with "Anopheles gambiae" mosquitoes suggests DEET does not directly inhibit olfactory receptors, but instead reduces the volatility of the odorants to which it is attracted. By reducing odor volatility, DEET functions to "mask" the ability of volatile odorants on the skin to activate olfactory neurons and attract mosquitoes. A study with adult "Anopheles gambiae" mosquitoes found no activation of olfactory receptor neurons by DEET. Behavioral tests with "Anopheles gambiae" mosquitoes indicated that DEET placed 5 cm from a resting mosquito did not repel the mosquito. These data suggest an olfactory function of DEET is to reduce attraction.