To quote from the article: The ARS scientists and researchers at Agro Research, Inc., in Pago Pago, American Samoa, discovered that the oil from a local plant repelled mosquitoes and pest ants in preliminary studies, which were conducted under a material transfer agreement. The isolation and identification of the active component (or components) will be done as part of a recently established one-year cooperative research and development agreement.

In response, a member made an enquiry, and this was the response:

The plant is Eodia hortensis in the Rutaceae family, which is well known in Samoa as Usi or Lau Usi, in Tonga it is called Uhi. The plant can be found in Fiji also. It is mainly used when someone has a spiritual sickness, it is believed by locals that can chase away spirits.

The plant is very common in Fiji, where it is mainly known as Uci. And used in garlands. It is also common in Vanuatu, and planted around houses to protect them from evil spirits (probably mosquitoes too), and used in local magic (dranikau) in Fiji. There are two leaf forms in Fiji, one simple Euodia hortensis spp. simplicifolia and Euodia hortensis var. hortensis, with a palmate, lobed leaf.

If it is Euodia hortensis var. hortensis, it is a common plant also in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, used at traditional ceremonies, including dances in coastal areas. It is commonly planted around houses and ceremonial grounds.

Tonga reported that it is used for sore throats, swelling of the neck, repelling mosquito, and other biting insects, and even chasing of evil spirits. Most houses have a Uhi plant, which shows their importance. The fresh leaves are approved for export from Tonga to New Zealand for medicinal purposes.