This invention is based on the identification of the role played by the receptor mX on certain insects through the behavior evinced in the taste sensory reactions of these insects. The invention addresses the use of the modulators on the mX receptor, such as L-canavanine and/or a mix of arginine and calcium and/or N-methyl-L-arginine (NMA) which are used to prepare a compound with repellent or attractive qualities with regard to certain insects. The invention also concerns the use of an mX insect receptor as a target for the identification of repellent substances regarding at least some insects.