New study clarifies why mosquitoes bite some people more often than others

A new study has revealed why mosquitoes bite some people more often than others. Scientists at Yale University have discovered how taste affects the tastants (taste stimuli) of these insects.

Recent studies have revealed how different flavors are encoded by mosquito neurons, affecting their behavior, such as biting, feeding, and egg-laying. This discovery could lead to new strategies for preventing insect bites and potentially stopping the spread of diseases they carry, TechExplorist writes.

The study identifies specific compounds in human sweat that can aggravate mosquito bites and bitter compounds that inhibit feeding and egg-laying. These findings provide new insights into why some people appear more attractive to mosquitoes than others, experts say.

By focusing on the Asian tiger mosquito, which has spread globally and is now found on six continents, the study highlights the role of this species in spreading diseases such as dengue and chikungunya, scientists say. As this mosquito competes with other species, it poses an increasing threat to public health in the future, experts say.

To investigate the Asian tiger mosquito's taste buds, the experts tested 46 different flavor compounds, including sugars, salts, bitter compounds and amino acids. They observed how neurons in the mosquito's taste organ responded to each compound.

The results showed that while some compounds, such as sugars, activated many neurons, others strangely suppressed neuronal activity, the scientists noted.

The scientists also investigated how they affect mosquito biting, feeding, and egg-laying behavior. They found that certain flavors either promote or inhibit certain behaviors. For example, bitter compounds reduced appetite but did not affect egg production.

Interestingly, a combination of salt and amino acids found in human sweat attracted many mosquitoes. The researchers suggest that insects may detect this unique combination and recognize it as a favorable place to bite.

In addition, when the scientists presented different types of human sweat to mosquitoes, they found that the insects preferred certain samples. That is, a certain composition of sweat may be more attractive to them, experts say.

"We think this could be part of why some of us get bitten by mosquitoes more than others. Some people may just taste better to mosquitoes," said senior author of the study John Carlson.

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