"Why Do Mosquitoes Target Me?"... Some People Are More Attractive to Mosquitoes

Body Odor Matters More Than Blood Type
Drinking Beer May Make You More Attractive to Mosquitoes

A new study has found that the question, "Why do only I get bitten by mosquitoes?" may not be just a matter of perception. The analysis suggests that, rather than blood type—which is commonly believed to be the reason—factors such as a person's body odor, body temperature, carbon dioxide emission, and chemicals released from the skin are what attract mosquitoes.

AI-generated image to aid in understanding the article. ChatGPT

According to a report by AFP on June 16 (local time), Frédéric Simard, a medical entomologist at the French Research Institute for Development, explained, "It is not a misconception that mosquitoes are attracted to some people more than others. However, it's also not the case that we are always a magnet for mosquitoes."

Multiple sensory signals work together when mosquitoes track down humans. Bloodsucking female mosquitoes first detect the carbon dioxide exhaled by people, then approach and select their target based on body odor, body temperature, and humidity. Ricard Ignell, a professor at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, stated, "Carbon dioxide is the first signal that triggers mosquito activity even from tens of meters away."

"Not Enough Evidence for Blood Type"...Body Odor as a Key Variable

However, experts point out that the widely held belief that blood type makes someone more susceptible to mosquito bites lacks scientific evidence. Simard noted, "There is no scientific basis for the claim that mosquitoes prefer a specific blood type," and added that skin color, eye color, and hair color are also unrelated.

By contrast, body odor has been found to have a significant impact on mosquito preferences. The diverse microbiome on human skin produces various odor molecules, and certain combinations of these can be more attractive to mosquitoes.

Professor Ignell's research team recently observed the preferences of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes—known for transmitting yellow fever and dengue fever—using 42 female participants in a laboratory setting. The team found that mosquitoes rely on a combination of odor compounds to select their targets, and identified 27 compounds out of roughly 1,000 that mosquitoes can detect.

In particular, the participants who were most attractive to mosquitoes were found to produce higher amounts of certain compounds generated when skin oil (sebum) breaks down. One of these is '1-octen-3-ol,' also known as 'mushroom alcohol.'

Drinking Beer May Make You More Attractive to Mosquitoes

Drinking beer can also be a factor that attracts mosquitoes. Several studies have shown that beer increases body temperature and alters both carbon dioxide emissions and skin odor. A 2023 study conducted in the Netherlands with 465 participants found that people who had consumed beer within the previous 24 hours were 1.35 times more attractive to mosquitoes than those who had not.

Experts advise that to avoid mosquito bites, it is helpful to wear loose clothing that covers the skin and to use mosquito nets and repellents. Simard also recommended, "Eat light meals and reduce alcohol consumption."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.