# Thermal infrared directs host-seeking behaviour in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes

*PRI Rank #18 · Topics and Trends in Most Cited Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research Papers, Class of 2026*

*Canonical URL: https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/neurobiology-and-insect-physiology-research/2026/rank-18*

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Rank | #18 |
| 18m citations | 40 |
| Journal | Nature |
| Year | 2024 |
| DOI | 10.1038/s41586-024-07848-5 |
| Corresponding authors | Craig Montell |
| Institution | University of California, Santa Barbara, United States |

**Ranking page:** [Topics and Trends in Most Cited Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research Papers, Class of 2026](https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/neurobiology-and-insect-physiology-research/2026)

**Paper link:** [10.1038/s41586-024-07848-5](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07848-5)

## Topics

Aedes aegypti · thermal infrared radiation · host-seeking behavior · TRPA1 · Sensory neurons · Sensory neurons · opsins · CO2 sensing · organic odours · visual cues · mid-range navigation · radiant energy detection · Multisensory integration · dengue virus vector · yellow fever virus vector · Zika virus vector · heat-activated ion channel · mosquito neurophysiology

## Cite this ranking

```
Pepkio Research Index (PRI). Topics and Trends in Most Cited Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/neurobiology-and-insect-physiology-research/2026. Accessed 2026-07-21.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459
```