How Do Mosquitoes Know Where to Bite You?
WouterUsing vision, smell, and carbon dioxide, mosquitoes locate and bite humans. A few species specialize in doing so. They use scents found on human skin and in sweat to locate their next human victim. These mosquitoes transmit several killer diseases, including dengue, yellow fever, and malaria. They may also be able to sense when a person has a blood meal, and they may try to lure you to them by using your scent.
Scientists have discovered that some mosquitoes have a molecular mechanism for drawing them to human warmth. It works through a combination of proteins that are inserted into the insect’s scent detecting organs.
The best part is that the findings may help scientists to combat mosquito-borne diseases. In fact, they could lead to new strategies to reduce the spread of deadly diseases.
A professor at the University of Washington has made a discovery that will shed light on how mosquitoes find humans. His research suggests that mosquitoes are able to detect carbon dioxide from more than 100 feet away. This may help them locate a person’s source of breath, and it may also make them more likely to bite.
In fact, the researchers found that mosquitoes are capable of detecting carbon dioxide from half a football field away. This is important, because carbon dioxide is a massive mosquito attractant.
Another interesting discovery was that mosquitoes are able to differentiate between different animals’ odors. This is due to a set of receptors called glomeruli. Each glomeruli responds to a different type of odor. One glomeruli responds only to animal odors, while another responds to human and animal odors.
