Your Genes May Cause Mosquitoes to be Attracted to Your Scent

Does it seem like you're always being bitten by mosquitoes while your friends remain relatively untouched? It may not be an illusion. Scientists have found that the likelihood of being bitten by mosquitoes could be down to our genes.

The researchers conducted a series of trials with the help of 18 identical and 19 non-identical female twins. The researchers found that the identical pairs of twins were more similar in attractiveness to mosquitoes than the non-identical twin pairs.

Female mosquitoes actually display preferences for the smell of certain people when they choose who to bite to feed on the blood which they require to reproduce. As an example, pregnant women are more attractive to mosquitoes than non-pregnant women. In addition, people with a greater body mass are more attractive to mosquitoes and midges than those with a smaller body mass.

"By investigating the genetic mechanism behind attractiveness to biting insects such as mosquitoes we can move closer to using this knowledge for better ways of keeping us safe from bites and the diseases insects can spread through bites," said James Logan, one of the researchers, in a news release. "If we understand the genetic basis for variation between individuals, it could be possible to develop bespoke ways to control mosquitoes better and develop new ways to repel them. In the future, we may even be able to take a pill which will enhance the production of natural repellents by the body and ultimately replace skin lotions."

The findings reveal that genes do play a role in how attractive a person is to mosquitoes. This is important to note in regions where malaria and other diseases can be spread through the bites of these insects.

The findings are published in the journal PLOS One.

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