Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists have found how the potentially deadly yellow-fever-transmitting Aedes aegypti mosquito finds a host. - Read on...

They have discovered that the mosquito detects the specific chemical structure of a compound called octenol as one way to find a mammalian host for a blood meal.

Scientists have long known that mosquitoes can detect octenol, but this latest finding explains in greater detail how Ae. Aegypti - and possibly other mosquito species - accomplish this.

ARS entomologists have shown that Ae. aegypti taps into the "right-handed" and "left-handed" structural nature of octenol, which is emitted by people, cattle and other mammals.

This ability to detect the "handedness" of molecules has been shown in mammals, but the discovery is the first case of scientists finding out how it works in an insect, according to the researchers.

When they hunt for a blood meal, mosquitoes hone in on a variety of chemicals, including carbon dioxide, lactic acid, ammonia and octenol - Blah... blah... blah... sorry, by this point it all got too technical for me.

The study may also open the door to speedier development of better mosquito repellents and traps.
The findings have been published in PLoS ONE.

- So basically - I smell, so therefore the mosquitoes want a taste of me?!
Which begs the question: What was Noah thinking by allowing pesky mosquitoes on the ark??
I guess they have their place in the order of creation - just not anywhere near MY skin, thanks!!

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Posted on March 10th, 2010 by WillMcGregor