Decode how mosquitoes find burning humans

American scientists found that mosquito-borne antennae help them recognize lactic acid, a substance in human sweat and from there to burning.

The discovery was made by Dr. Matthew DeGennaro, mosquito geneticist and professor at Florida International University (USA) posted on Current Biology .

Dr. DeGennaro said he and his colleagues have been searching for mosquito receptors for years and discovered a odor receptor that helps mosquitoes recognize prey. However, even if this receptor is removed, mosquitoes still function normally in the presence of carbon dioxide. Researchers say there are probably other receptors that help mosquitoes recognize carbon dioxide.

Mosquito-repellent mosquitoes help them identify lactic acid, from there to burn.(Photo: Alex Wild).

Dr. DeGennaro's team continues to study other odor receptors called Ir8a . Scientists put intervened mosquitoes away from Ir8a in the compartments of CO2, lactic acid, warm temperatures and the arms of volunteers.

Watch the mosquitoes in the compartment, Dr. Dr. DeGennaro said: "We just conducted a simple behavioral test to see if mosquitoes can react to lactic acid. And they can't." Thus, Ir8a receptors play an important role, helping mosquitoes recognize lactic acid in human sweat and seeking to burn.

The results of the study are expected to help create anti-mosquito drugs, block the activity of Ir8a receptors or contribute to the design of effective mosquito traps. As a result, people control mosquitoes and prevent mosquito-borne diseases such as Zika, West Nile, dengue fever, and malaria.

The team believes that the receptor recognizes that CO ₂ can be in the same group as the Ir8a receptor, but has yet to find it. Research is still ongoing.