Do mosquitoes prefer certain humans over others? When different people in a group react differently to loud threats at outdoor gatherings, it seems to be true. Some people report itchy or rash-like bumps, while others remain intact. This has prompted research into what attracts particular mosquitoes to particular humans in the first place. The thing is, are mosquitoes selective?
Dr Lakshman Jesani, a consultant and infectious disease specialist at Apollo Hospital, Navi Mumbai, said several studies have found different triggers. “Generally speaking, mosquitoes seem to be more attracted to people with type O blood than to other blood types, and type A is least likely.” Although humans are bitten frequently, it has also been shown that if bitten by a malaria bug carrying anopheles mosquitoes, they are much less likely to contract severe malaria than those of other blood types.
“The available research shows that, but many other additional factors can also influence a person’s attractiveness to mosquitoes. Individuals with higher microbial diversity are less likely to be bitten by mosquitoes because they are repellent,” says Dr. Jesani.
Microbes sitting on our skin affect the chemicals we emit. Skin bacteria convert compounds found in sweat and sebum into volatile compounds. Some of these can now attract or repel mosquitoes. According to a study published in Nature this May, two saturated fatty acid aldehydes, decanal and undecanal, are odorants that attract mosquitoes. is suggested. Sebum composition and long-chain aldehyde levels vary from person to person, suggesting that mosquitoes attract differently.
Various studies seem to suggest other factors. For example, research by the Royal Society Open Science suggests that three of his disease-carrying mosquitoes are activated and attracted to carbon dioxide (CO2). Humans and most animals release carbon dioxide, heat and moisture as a result of cellular respiration. A 2015 study edited by New Mexico State University found that “female mosquitoes show a preference for certain individuals over others. Although body odor can be genetically controlled, the existence of a genetic basis for differential attraction to insects has never been formally proven. We investigated the heritability of attraction to mosquitoes by assessing the response of Aedes aegypti (Stegomyia aegypti) mosquitoes to odors from the hands of monozygotic and nonidentical twins in . Volatile substances were highly correlated with attractiveness to mosquitoes, whereas monozygotic twin pairs were significantly less correlated.” is shown.
“After all, whatever the reason, dengue season is approaching with the rain, so keep the mosquitoes at bay. Apply mosquito repellent and lotion to your skin. Also, to prevent mosquito breeding.” Regular fumigation by local authorities will reduce the number of mosquito bites.Make sure the flower pots do not have stagnant water where mosquitoes can breed,” advises Dr Jesani. .
