When insects detect anything like sugar they react as many people—they start to eat! But the plant Ajugara remota foils this urge to eat by its own special chemical compound, ajugarin-1. It blocks the insect’s receptor sites and eliminates its desire to munch on Ajugara remota. This chemical is just one of many anti-feedant compounds found among many members of the plant world. Some anti-feedants repel a broad range of insects; others spoil the appetites of only a single species. All are nonpoisonous.
Scientists are trying to make anti-feedants in their laboratories to repel crop-eating insects. Perhaps next they can make anti-feedants that will turn off sugar-hungry humans
