Student Article

If mosquitoes constantly choose you over your friends, your body odor might be to blame.

A giant mosquito experiment in Africa

In a groundbreaking experiment conducted in Zambia, scientists created a massive outdoor testing space roughly 35,000 cubic feet in volume — equivalent to the size of an ice rink. The study tested how the malaria-carrying mosquito Anopheles gambiae detects and prefers certain human hosts from a distance.

Testing body odor with fake skin

Over six nights, researchers released 200 mosquitoes per night into the arena. Heated landing pads, warmed to about 95°F (human skin temperature), served as bite targets. Six volunteers slept in surrounding tents. Air ducts piped each participant’s unique body odor blend from their tent into the arena and onto the landing pads.

Some smells attract mosquitoes more than others

Using infrared cameras, researchers tracked where mosquitoes landed. The mosquitoes showed a consistent preference for certain body odor profiles, completely avoiding one individual who had a unique odor signature. All six people had the same 40 core odor compounds, but in different blends influenced by skin secretions, diet, breath, and microbial activity.

How this research could help

This variation suggests that some people are biologically more appealing to mosquitoes, possibly due to genetic or microbial differences. By identifying and replicating the chemical compounds that attract mosquitoes, scientists could develop more effective mosquito traps. These traps could reduce bites and, ultimately, help prevent diseases like malaria, which continues to affect millions globally.

According to researchers, the potential for public health impact is significant. This study bridges the gap between lab-based theories and real-world application, offering hope for better mosquito control strategies.

© Noa Leach / Our Media