- A recent Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute study found that malaria-carrying mosquitoes are lured by specific skin chemicals.
- The study involved constructing an open-air ‘mosquito perfumery’ in Zambia to investigate why mosquitoes are attracted to certain people.
- While mosquitoes use visual cues and body warmth to find prey at close range, they rely on carbon dioxide and other chemicals found in body odor and breath to find long-range victims.
- One mosquito victim found less appealing based on scent suggests diet might influence attractiveness.
How mosquitoes use your body chemistry to pick you for their next meal
(05/19/2023)
