Skin Bacteria and Body Odor May Shape Which Mosquitoes Bite You, or Avoid You Altogether
Learn how different mosquito species may have their own turn-ons and turnoffs, from a person’s sex and fragrance use to their skin microbiome.
A recent study published in iScience reveals that our unique skin bacteria and body odor may play a significant role in determining which mosquitoes are attracted to us. Contrary to popular belief, there is no universal mosquito attractor. Instead, different mosquito species may have varying preferences, including sex, fragrance, and even the composition of our skin microbiome.
A team of researchers from Florida International University (FIU) aimed to develop species-specific repellents by examining how several dangerous mosquito species react to the body chemistry of over 100 human volunteers. They found that each mosquito species responded to specific scent profiles, favoring certain compounds and types of bacteria.
This discovery could lead to novel strategies to combat vector-borne diseases, such as dengue, Zika, and West Nile viruses, by understanding how to manipulate human odor signatures to repel specific mosquito species.
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