The mosquito's transition from vegan to bloodsucker explained
Scents govern most key events in the lives of mosquitoes, and there is extensive research on their sense of smell. A new study reveals how a young female mosquito shifts from focusing entirely on nectar to seeking only blood. An odor receptor that reacts to camphor was found to play a key role.
Mosquitoes, particularly female ones, rely heavily on their sense of smell for survival. A new study has shed light on how a key odor receptor, Or117, influences their transition from nectar-seeking to blood-seeking behavior.
Rickard Ignell, a professor at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, has been studying the olfactory behaviors of disease-transmitting mosquitoes. He and his team, along with colleagues from Ethiopia and the U.S., have explored the critical stage in a female mosquito's life when she shifts from a nectar-focused lifestyle to seeking blood.
Initially, young, unmated female mosquitoes rely on nectar-seeking behavior to build energy reserves, enhance survival, flight capacity, and dispersal. During sexual maturation, they develop the ability to consume blood, which is accelerated after mating and linked to a heightened attraction to humans.
The researchers found that a single odor receptor, Or117, plays a pivotal role in this transition. This receptor detects camphor and similar substances found in floral scents, which are particularly attractive to young, unmated female mosquitoes. As the mosquitoes mature and after mating, their sensitivity to camphor decreases, and they start to ignore floral odors while becoming more attracted to humans.
This discovery opens up new possibilities for manipulating the behavior of these disease-transmitting insects, potentially helping to control the spread of diseases like dengue.
Written by urgent.news from Phys.org's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
