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Mosquitoes prefer to feed on blood with certain genes
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025

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With the onset of the summer season, almost all people begin to be bothered by various insects, including mosquitoes, whose bites not only cause unpleasant itching, but also contribute to the spread of infectious diseases.
It has long been noted that mosquitoes bite some people more often, and experts have become interested in this feature. As recent studies in this area have shown, mosquitoes are attracted to human genes, which, in particular, determine body odor.
In the UK, a group of scientists conducted an experiment involving 74 people (pairs of fraternal and identical twins) to find out why some people are attracted to mosquitoes.
Scientists asked each twin to place his hand in a special tube with two holes, through which the smell of a person's body was distributed. As a result, after the specialists released mosquitoes, they showed different interest in fraternal twins. Identical twins have almost identical genetic information, and the mosquitoes were distributed through the tube approximately equally.
Experts have concluded that genes are the main factor in mosquitoes' choice of prey.
The scientists are now planning to conduct a larger study, during which they hope to establish which genes are responsible for body odor and are capable of attracting or repelling mosquitoes.
Lead researcher Professor James Logan said the discovery could help develop more effective mosquito repellents.
Professor David Whitman, who works at the School of Tropical Medicine (Liverpool), who was not involved in the work, noted that this discovery can safely be called progressive. According to him, the importance of genes was shown for the first time, but, as is known, mosquitoes are attracted not only by body odor, but also by other factors, such as the amount of exhaled carbon dioxide, alcohol consumption, etc.
Professor Whitman also stressed that the work of his colleagues will help develop new drugs and methods for repelling insects, which is very important for places where mosquitoes carry deadly infections.
It has been previously noted that mosquitoes are attracted to people who have consumed alcohol. Even a glass of beer significantly increases the insects' interest. Researchers note that this is due to the fact that ethanol begins to be released from a person's sweat, and the body temperature rises.
Also, earlier researchers noted that mosquitoes sense a person’s blood type and prefer the first group, while the third group is in second place in terms of “attractiveness” for bloodsuckers.
The amount of exhaled air also affects the reaction of mosquitoes, insects are able to detect carbon dioxide at a distance of up to 50 m. They are attracted to those who exhale more air at a time (large people). In addition to carbon dioxide, mosquitoes react to the smell of other substances secreted by human sweat glands (ammonia, uric acid, etc.).
One study found that mosquitoes prefer black, blue and red colors, so they bite people wearing these colors more.