Skin chemistry and microbes shape which mosquitoes are drawn to you

Scientists examined how personal skin chemistry and microbiome affect mosquito host selection by exposing volunteers to three disease-carrying species. Using a scent-capture device for daytime feeders and nylon sleeves for the nocturnal Culex, they recorded which mosquitoes entered the apparatus. Results revealed that each species favored different groups of people, with A. aegypti showing a modest bias toward males and A. albopictus drawn to plant-like odors.

Participants with lower overall skin odor attracted more A. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus, while certain bacteria—Corynebacterium kefirresdentii, Cutibacterium granulosum and a Staphylococcus epidermis strain—were common among the most attractive volunteers. The findings point to the possibility of engineering microbe-based repellents or lures, a goal the researchers plan to pursue next.