Can Mosquitoes Smell Blood Type?

Whether mosquitoes smell blood type or not is still an open question. The answer may have some practical implications for personal protection in areas where Anopheles stephensi is a dominant vector.

Mosquitoes have an odor detecting antenna located on their maxillary palp. This receptor is capable of detecting carbon dioxide in the air as far as 164 feet away. Using this receptor, mosquitoes can locate targets.

The antennae are not completely unresponsive to known stimulants such as isovaleric acid, lactic acid, and 1-octen-3-01. The reaction to these chemicals is often positive.

Several studies have examined the effects of human blood type on female Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes. Despite the olfactory stimulation of a blood meal, no statistically significant difference was detected between ABO and O groups.

A similar study was performed in 2004 to determine the mosquito’s preference for blood types. This research discovered that mosquitoes landed on people of a specific blood type two times more frequently than those with other blood types.

Researchers also found that the presence of essential oils could reduce mosquito bites. However, this was not a universal phenomenon. Rather, different individuals secrete different amounts of chemicals. This suggests that some people release the right amount.

In conclusion, although there are many natural scents that are said to repel mosquitoes, there is no definitive scientific proof that they work. In fact, the study suggests that people should take personal protection measures in communities where Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes are a threat.

Continue reading:

Can Mosquitoes Travel in Luggage? How Do Mosquitoes Reproduce Asexually? Can Mosquitoes Paralyze You? How Can We Get Rid of Mosquitoes? What Material Can Mosquitoes Not Bite Through? Can Mosquitoes Lay Eggs in Salt Water? Can Mosquitoes Bite You Through Jeans? How to Prevent Mosquitoes From Infesting Your House