With the arrival of summerhave also reappeared mosquitos. This insect is not only annoying, but also dangerous because it can transmit many diseases. There are some 3,500 different species of mosquitoes in the world: the most common in the Mediterranean basin are the common mosquito (Culex pipiens), which transmits Nile fever, and the tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), which can transmit malaria, yellow fever, chikungunya, dengue and Zika virus.
According to World Health Organization, mosquitoes cause more than 700,000 deaths a year worldwide. According to the latest data from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), we can expect more cases and more deaths from diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and West Nile fever in Europe in the coming years. In 2022, 1,133 human cases and 92 deaths from West Nile virus infection were reported in the EU.
only bite the female mosquitoes because they need blood to reproduce and not to feed themselves. Several factors lead them to choose their victim and each species has its own preferences. The mosquitos detect carbon dioxide that their prey emits and this, together with the individual’s body temperature and scent, is a clue to choose their next victim.
However, it is the sweat that makes the mosquito choose one or the other prey to suck its blood. When we sweat, we emit chemical compounds such as lactic acid or octanol that attract these insects. These compounds, however, vary from person to person, so some individuals are more attractive than others (pregnant women tend to suffer more from their bites). According to a study published in ‘Cell’, it is the acid smell of the skin that acts as a magnet for mosquitoes. However, it is genetics that greatly influences the individual’s scent.
In some species, it has been seen that the color of clothes influences in the choice of the mosquito. It seems that the tiger mosquito is especially attracted to color negroHence, it is advisable to wear light-colored clothing, which also protects from heat in hot times. “Mosquitoes are also attracted to tight clothing,” María José Ruiz, a researcher at the Doñana Biological Station (EBD), explained to El País.