News Animals

Rough lessons can lessen the pull of human scent on a mosquito

Bursts of shaking teach the bloodsuckers to be indifferent to the odor of people's skin

Aedes aegypti mosquito

SCENT OF A HUMAN  Nasty experiences can change an Aedes aegypti mosquito’s inclination to follow certain odors, such as the whiff of human skin.

TacioPhilip/iStockphoto

By Susan Milius

- More than 2 years ago

DENVER – After unpleasant lessons in the lab, mosquitoes can learn some restraint in their zest for pursuing the scent of human skin.