Buzz
For some people, enjoying the outdoors in warm weather can become a frustrating experience. While others relax on a patio, they seem to attract mosquitoes at an alarming rate, often far more than those sitting nearby. Even the strongest insect repellents may fail to protect these unlucky individuals from bites.
What is it that makes certain people irresistible to mosquitoes? Science might have the answer.
In a groundbreaking study from Rockefeller University in New York, published in the journal Cell, researchers discovered that mosquitoes seem to be drawn to individuals with elevated levels of carboxylic acids on their skin. This compound is found in sebum, the oily substance secreted by sebaceous glands. If someone has a high concentration of carboxylic acid, mosquitoes appear to be able to sense it, making them irresistibly attracted, much like a pig to a truffle.
How did researchers make this discovery? Their study involved collecting skin secretion samples from participants who wore nylon stockings on their arms, which were then cut into pieces. These samples were placed in a box before mosquitoes were introduced. Repeatedly, the insects (Aedes aegypti) gravitated toward the samples containing higher levels of carboxylic acids.
Although humans can detect carboxylic acid in high concentrations—often likened to the smell of dirty feet—mosquitoes are far more sensitive to it. Nothing in the study, from switching hygiene products to showering, seemed to diminish the mosquitoes' attraction. Only one participant, with high levels of carboxylic acid, didn't draw the mosquitoes' attention, suggesting that some people might naturally repel mosquitoes, though this wasn't the main focus of the study.
While showering before going outside might make a person less tempting to mosquitoes, scientists suggest that carboxylic acids could be just one factor that makes us appealing to these insects. Identifying this compound could lead to the development of more effective mosquito repellents in the future.
