Fecha de publicación: 23/05/2019 Fuente: WIPO "apis mellifera" A method of modulating hygrosensing and/or thermosensing in an animal, particularly, an insect or disease vector, is provided. Also provided is a method of reducing survival, host-seeking, and/or reproductive capability of an animal, particularly an insect or disease vector. The methods involve an effective amount of an agent that modulates the activity and/or expression of a polynucleotide or polypeptide of an ionotropic receptor (Ir) selected from one or more of Ir25a, Ir93a, Ir40a, Ir68a, or Ir21a. A method of identifying an agent that modulates survival, host-seeking, and/or reproductive capability of an animal, e.g., an insect, is further provided.