Why do some mosquitoes bite more often than others?

Why, when you and your friends relax in the nature, someone quietly enjoys the fresh air, and someone else is overcome by mosquitoes? “You must be tastier,” they joke in such cases. Scientists are seriously studying this issue, and the results of their research suggest that there is some truth in this joke. So what makes us "tidbits" for bloodsucking insects?

Size matters

So far, scientists can name only the most common signs of people who are particularly attracted to mosquitoes. In particular, those of us who exhale more carbon dioxide, become for mosquitoes like a bright neon sign with the words "Here they will deliciously feed!" Mosquitoes also love taller or larger people. It's not about their greed (although, perhaps, it could not have done without it). Just larger people, as a rule, have large lungs and, accordingly, also exhale more carbon dioxide.

There is also evidence that mosquitoes "love" women more than men, especially during pregnancy. Another study says that malaria mosquitoes are more attracted to people infected with malaria.

But is this the only thing?

Experiments on twins

Two years ago, researchers examined the attractiveness of 18 pairs of identical twins and 19 pairs of non-identical for mosquitoes. Studies have shown that there is virtually no difference between identical twins, which of them are more bitten by mosquitoes. Previously, scientists have already found that the smell of identical twins is also very similar - unlike non-identical. And they came to the conclusion that people with certain genes become more "tasty" for mosquitoes.

Now scientists want to go even further. They are going to examine 200 pairs of identical and non-identical twins in order to find out on the basis of their clothes with smell what exactly in genes is so attractive for bloodsuckers. In the future, these studies will help in the development of mosquito repellents.