Study Finds Mosquitoes Hunt Humans Using Infrared Detection

Researchers have discovered that mosquitoes, specifically the Aedes aegypti species, which transmits diseases such as dengue, yellow fever, and Zika, utilize infrared radiation to detect human hosts. This capability adds to their arsenal of senses, including CO2 from our breath, skin odors, vision, and heat. This is prepared by SSP.

A team led by UC Santa Barbara found that combining infrared detection with CO2 and human odor doubled the mosquitoes' host-seeking behavior. The IR detection system in mosquitoes works at distances up to 70 cm, making it a significant cue in various environmental conditions.

Mosquitoes' infrared detection primarily involves neurons in their antennae equipped with the heat-sensitive receptor TRPA1 and opsins proteins. These receptors and proteins help mosquitoes sense radiant heat and amplify incoming infrared signals. Removal or mutation of these receptors rendered mosquitoes indifferent to infrared radiation, proving their importance in host detection.

Improved mosquito control could emerge from this understanding. Introducing thermal IR in traps or wearing loose-fitting clothing, which dissipates body IR, could help prevent bites. As mosquito mobility expands with climate change, such insights are critical for public health.

Thus, this new understanding of how mosquitoes use multiple sensory cues for host detection highlights potential strategies for preventing mosquito-borne diseases and controlling mosquito populations effectively.