Why some people attract more mosquitoes: Scientists decode the body’s chemical signals

Paris: Scientists are making progress in deciphering the complex chemical cocktail that makes particular people more enticing to mosquitoes, offering clues to why some of us get bitten far more than others.

Female mosquitoes, which are the only ones that bite, use a range of sensory cues to pick one human over another. The main drivers are the smell and heat our bodies give off, and the carbon dioxide we exhale.

Researchers say mosquitoes detect these signals with finely-tuned receptors on their antennae and mouthparts. Each person’s unique mix of skin odors, driven by genetics, skin microbes, and diet, can turn them into a “mosquito magnet.”

Studies have shown that certain compounds like lactic acid, ammonia, and specific carboxylic acids make some people stand out. Body temperature and sweat also play a role, as does the amount of CO2 a person breathes out.

Understanding these cues could lead to better repellents and traps that mimic or mask human scent, helping reduce bites and the spread of mosquito-borne diseases like dengue, malaria, and Zika.