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Mosquitoes favour some people due to body odour linked to skin chemistry. A new study reveals how smell, not myths, guides their bite choices
In locating a host, female mosquitoes rely on carbon dioxide in human breath, body heat, and distinctive body odours. (News18)
Ever feel like you’re the all-you-can-eat buffet at a mosquito party while everyone else walks away bite-free? You’re not imagining it, and no, it’s not personal (well, maybe a little). Let’s dive into the questions of: why mosquitoes seem to have favourites, whether being in a crowd makes you more of a target, and what science says about why some people are just… tastier.
Why Do Mosquitoes Target Specific Individuals?
It’s a familiar scene: in a room full of people, only a few end up covered in bites. Many wonder why they’re the unlucky ones. Surprisingly, there is real science behind this.
Recent research has shown that certain fatty acids present on the skin make some people more attractive to mosquitoes. These acids, known as carboxylic acids, are transformed by skin bacteria into a unique body odour that mosquitoes are drawn to.
A team led by Leslie Voshall at Rockefeller University has even identified individuals with what they call ‘mosquito magnet personalities’.
How Do Mosquitoes Choose Humans?
Female mosquitoes, especially from the species Aedes aegypti, require human blood for reproduction. In locating a host, they rely on carbon dioxide in human breath, body heat, and distinctive body odours.
Although various popular theories suggest blood type, blood sugar levels, diet (like eating garlic or bananas), age, or gender might influence mosquito preference, Leslie Voshall notes that there is no robust scientific evidence to confirm these claims.
The Study’s Methodology
The research, conducted over three years, involved eight participants who wore nylon stockings for six hours daily. These stockings were later tested in a controlled setup where mosquitoes were given a choice between different fabrics.
One participant, dubbed ‘Subject 33’, attracted four times more mosquitoes than others; and 100 times more than ‘Subject 19’, who drew the fewest. The pattern was consistent across trials.
The Role Of Smell Genes
Mosquitoes detect human odour using two major sensory systems: OR (Olfactory Receptor) and IR (Ionotropic Receptor). In experiments with genetically modified mosquitoes lacking either OR or IR, those missing OR receptors were even more drawn to humans, while those missing IR were less attracted but still recognised humans.
This confirms that mosquitoes possess highly developed olfactory systems that function through multiple sensory pathways.
Possible Solutions
Because skin chemistry remains relatively stable over time, mosquito attraction may be a lasting part of someone’s biology. One potential solution could involve modifying the skin’s microbial composition, possibly by transferring bacteria from a person less attractive to mosquitoes to someone more attractive. Though complex, future microbiological research may unlock safe, effective mosquito repellents based on this principle.
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