Skin Bacteria and Body Odor May Shape Which Mosquitoes Bite You, or Avoid You Altogether
Researchers found species-specific scent cues across 119 participants, suggesting mosquito attraction depends on human odor chemistry and skin microbes rather than one universal profile.
- Researchers at Florida International University discovered that different mosquito species are attracted to distinct human scent profiles, according to a study published in iScience. Testing 119 volunteers in Miami, the experiment challenged the idea of a universal mosquito attractor.
- As climate change expands mosquito ranges across the Americas, these insects increasingly spread diseases like West Nile virus and Dengue. The U.S. recently recorded a 22-year high in West Nile cases, making targeted host-seeking research a critical public health priority.
- Each species decodes unique odor signatures shaped by skin microbiomes. Lead author Kaylee Marrero stated, "We didn't expect the species to prefer different people," as specific bacterial families on human skin signaled mosquitoes to feed or avoid.
- FIU neurogeneticist Matthew DeGennaro said, "Isolating the components of human odor that attract or repel mosquitoes could lead to novel strategies to combat vector-borne diseases." Researchers aim to develop region-specific repellents tailored to local mosquito populations.
- While scientists refine targeted controls, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises using insect repellent and wearing protective clothing. Eliminating standing water, which breeds mosquitoes within one week, remains essential to reducing transmission risk.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Mosquito Magnet? It depends on the mosquito
You know that friend who gets devoured by mosquitoes while everyone else sits comfortably nearby? New research suggests there may be no such thing as a universal “mosquito magnet”: the person one mosquito species finds irresistible may barely interest another. The explanation may lie partly in the invisible chemistry created by the microbes living on our skin.
A new study shows that every species of mosquito prefers other people. What role this plays in the fight against communicable diseases.
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Joo-young = There are people who seem to get bitten by mosquitoes particularly easily, but there are also people who are like 'mosquito magnets' that are universally attractive to all mosquitoes...
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources are Center, 43% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
