Mosquitoes are picky eaters – we studied 3 common South Florida species to learn why they like some people more than others

Biology researchers studying South Florida mosquitoes tested Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus on 119 participants using a device that let mosquitoes approach an arm without biting. Each person was tested with 270 mosquitoes total, and preferences varied sharply by species.

Aedes aegypti favored men slightly, avoided people wearing cyclic-alcohol fragrances, and were drawn to those with more Staphylococcus bacteria on their skin. Aedes albopictus preferred people with more odors overall, especially a honeylike ketone compound, and higher levels of certain other bacteria, while Culex quinquefasciatus favored fewer odors overall and were drawn to alpha-pinene compounds found in essential oils.

The researchers say the findings could inform new repellents, including probiotic ones targeting the skin microbiome, since each mosquito species carries different disease risks, from dengue and Zika to West Nile virus.

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