Study: No universal mosquito magnet; species differ in preferences

A new study published in iScience challenges the idea that some people are universally irresistible to mosquitoes. Researchers at Florida International University tested 119 volunteers in Miami against three disease-carrying species: Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, and Culex quinquefasciatus. No participant ranked in the top 10% most attractive for all three species, indicating that mosquito preferences are species-specific rather than universal Source: infobae.

Key findings

• Aedes aegypti showed a slight preference for men, while the other species showed no sex-based differences Source: infobae.
• Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus were less attracted to people with higher levels of certain cyclic alcohols and monoterpenes, while Aedes albopictus preferred profiles rich in ketones Source: infobae.
• The study identified three skin bacteria consistently associated with more attractive volunteers: Corynebacterium kefirresidentii, Cutibacterium granulosum, and Staphylococcus epidermidis Source: elconfidencial.

The reaction

Researchers emphasize the link between skin microbes and odors in mosquito selection. "Cada vez está más claro que existe una conexión entre los microbios de la piel humana y los olores cuando los mosquitos seleccionan a personas concretas," said Matthew DeGennaro and colleagues Source: elconfidencial. This could lead to personalized repellents or microbiome modifications Source: elconfidencial.

What's next

The findings complicate the search for a universal repellent, as each species responds differently. Future research may focus on tailoring interventions to specific mosquito species and their preferred chemical signals Source: elconfidencial.