Scientific studies map mosquito attraction cues

Recent scientific research identifies chemical and sensory cues that make some individuals more attractive to mosquitoes. The findings are currently relevant for controlling vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, and Zika.

Mosquito Attraction and Vector-Borne Diseases:

Dimension	Key Details
Mechanism of Attraction	Mosquitoes rely on carbon dioxide, heat, and odour to identify human targets.
Female Mosquitoes	Only female mosquitoes bite because they require protein in blood to produce eggs.
Carbon Dioxide	Carbon dioxide exhaled by humans acts as a long-range attractant for mosquitoes.
Heat	Body temperature helps mosquitoes pinpoint the target once they are close.
Odour	Odour depends on chemical cues produced by molecules present on the skin.
Skin Microbiota	Skin microbiota produce odorous compounds by breaking down skin oils.
Sebum Breakdown	Aedes aegypti attraction is linked to compounds produced from sebum breakdown.
Blood Type Myth	There is no scientific basis for the belief that mosquitoes prefer specific blood types.
Alcohol Consumption	Beer consumption within 24 hours makes volunteers 1.35 times more attractive to Anopheles mosquitoes.
Beer Linkage	Beer consumption increases body temperature, raises exhaled carbon dioxide, and alters skin odour through sweat.
Aedes	Aedes mosquitoes spread dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever.
Anopheles	Anopheles mosquitoes spread malaria.
Culex	Culex mosquitoes spread Japanese encephalitis and lymphatic filariasis.