What Mosquitoes Do With Blood
WouterHundreds of thousands of people are bitten by mosquitoes every year. Mosquitoes have a large impact on our ecosystem, and they can transmit disease to humans. They can also find us by smelling substances on our skin, such as sweat or bacteria. However, there is much we don’t know about mosquitoes.
Researchers have tried to figure out how mosquitoes bite for decades. But they haven’t been able to identify the exact anatomy of a mosquito bite. However, one researcher has made a breakthrough: he discovered a blood-detecting receptor.
Blood is essential for a female mosquito’s egg-formation process. Female mosquitoes rely on the protein in human blood for this purpose. They bite to obtain the protein, which is then used to create eggs. Female mosquitoes also carry dengue and West Nile viruses.
In addition to feeding on blood, mosquitoes also use their sense of smell to find humans. They can detect carbon dioxide in the air, and they can also pick up nutrients in water.
Scientists have also learned that mosquitoes may have a preference for certain types of blood. They may be attracted to certain types of blood due to certain genetic factors. These genetic factors can be expressed in a person’s metabolism, as well as in other ways. For example, some mosquitoes are attracted to pregnant women.
Researchers have also uncovered why some mosquitoes are drawn to ankles and feet. Scientists think bacteria may be responsible for this attraction.
