Citrus-Rubbing Capuchins: Jungle Monkeys Make Bug Spray

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When you picture monkeys in the wild, you probably imagine them swinging through trees, tossing fruit, or yelling at each other over bananas. But some monkeys are doing something a lot more practical—and a lot more pungent.

Meet the citrus-rubbing capuchin: a small, smart monkey that has figured out how to turn fruit into bug spray.

Capuchin monkeys have been observed ripping open citrus fruits—or grabbing pungent leaves—and rubbing the juice or oils all over their fur. We’re talking about full-body coverage: arms, legs, tail, even their back if they can manage it.

Scientists believe the behavior isn’t about flavor. It’s about pest control.

Citrus contains limonene, a compound with natural insect-repellent and antimicrobial properties. By rubbing it on their skin, capuchins may be warding off:

• Mosquitoes and biting flies
• Mites and ticks
• Fungal spores or bacteria

And unlike commercial bug spray, citrus also leaves them smelling a little zesty. Bonus.

This behavior isn’t random. Capuchins often share the fruit or plant and take turns rubbing it on, almost like a grooming ritual. It’s been documented with:

• Citrus
• Onions and garlic plants
• Strong-smelling herbs like Piper species (wild peppers)
• Millipedes (yes, they crush and smear them—more on that in a future post…)

All of these are known to contain bioactive compounds that discourage parasites and microbes. So while it may look like monkey mischief, it’s actually instinctive medicinal grooming.

What’s most striking is how intentional it seems. Capuchins don’t do this with every fruit. They choose specific ones, during mosquito season, and they seem to know what works best.

It’s not just self-care—it’s preventative medicine.

So the next time you’re spraying DEET before a camping trip, remember: a capuchin in the jungle is peeling a lemon and giving himself a rubdown. No bottle. No warning label. Just instinct.