Can zebra stripes protect us from insects?

A study by researchers at the University of California, Davis shows that zebra stripes can repel insects. Putting zebras and horses in adjacent fields, they compared their attractiveness to biting insects. Both attracted horseflies at a distance, but when whey got close, the flies tended to bump into the zebras instead of landing. Striped outfits on the horses produced a similar effect. Stripes appear to work for humans as well and may explain the body painting traditions of Africa, Australia, and Southeast Asia.