From Alzheimer’s to Zebrafish: Eclectic Science and Regulatory Stories 110
Attractions
Body temperature, carbon dioxide in the breath and certain skin chemicals, such as lactic
acid, all help mosquitoes orient themselves and find their next blood meal. This means
that exercise that boosts the levels of all three signals makes us more appealing than just
sitting around. Evidence also suggests that mosquitoes are attracted to black or red cloth-
ing. White is the best choice. It is less certain whether perfume or other body products
attract mosquitoes, but it may be wise to avoid products with floral scents. New research
also indicates that women who are pregnant are twice as attractive to mosquitoes as those
who are not. Pregnant women in an advanced stage exhale 21% greater volume of breath
and mosquitoes are attracted to the moisture and carbon dioxide. Moreover, the abdomens
of pregnant women are 0.7º C hotter than the abdomens of other women, which suggests
that pregnant women release more volatile substances from their skin, allowing mosqui-
toes to detect them more easily.21
The best bets for preventing bites include wearing long sleeves and pants, and stay-
ing away from shady areas and vegetation.
Mysteries
The key to combating the scourge brought on by mosquitoes is to better understand
them. However, after more than a century of research, a number of mysteries remain. For
example, no one has explained why mosquitoes use blood in their reproductive process.
Neither do we know how mosquitoes distinguish between hosts. Moreover, we do not
comprehend even the basics, such as mating behavior (which may be based on acoustics
and wing beat frequencies) or how a mosquito develops the sucking force necessary to
pull blood through a feeding tube with a diameter so small that resulting friction should
make it impossible. In addition, why certain species of mosquitoes support the develop-
ment of one type of pathogen and not another remains a mystery.22
Final Thoughts
According to a recent book, mosquitoes, together with other disease-causing parasites,
may have contributed to the demise of the dinosaurs.23 There may be a similar scenario in
store for mankind. We know that throughout history, deadly epidemics in humans were
often caused by pathogens not previously experienced. These novel or emerging patho-
gens are usually mutated strains of existing organisms or the transfer of disease-causing
agents from reservoir animal hosts.24 Even though there are many species that feed on
blood, including vampire bats, leeches, bed bugs, ticks, mites, hookworms and candirus,
there is still no better means of transfer than that offered by the ubiquitous and still myste-
rious mosquito.
References
1. Spielman A, D’Antonio M, Mosquito—A Natural History of our Most Persistent and Deadly Foe. New York, NY:
Hyperion 2001.
2. Ibid.
3. Painter K. “Mosquitoes: you’re covered.” USA Today. 23 June 2008: [Life, page 6d].
4. Op cit 1.
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. http://cdc.gov/malaria/biology/mosquito. Accessed 22
July 2008.
6. Op cit 1.
7. Ibid.
8. Kalman B. The Life Cycle of a Mosquito. New York, NY: Crabtree Publishing Company 2004.
9. Ibid.
10. Fountain H. “Not just any water will do for mosquitoes.” New York Times. 15 July 2008: [Science, Observatory,
page 3].
11. Op cit 5.
12. Arbovirus facts http://www.dhpe.org/infect/Arbovirus.html
Attractions
Body temperature, carbon dioxide in the breath and certain skin chemicals, such as lactic
acid, all help mosquitoes orient themselves and find their next blood meal. This means
that exercise that boosts the levels of all three signals makes us more appealing than just
sitting around. Evidence also suggests that mosquitoes are attracted to black or red cloth-
ing. White is the best choice. It is less certain whether perfume or other body products
attract mosquitoes, but it may be wise to avoid products with floral scents. New research
also indicates that women who are pregnant are twice as attractive to mosquitoes as those
who are not. Pregnant women in an advanced stage exhale 21% greater volume of breath
and mosquitoes are attracted to the moisture and carbon dioxide. Moreover, the abdomens
of pregnant women are 0.7º C hotter than the abdomens of other women, which suggests
that pregnant women release more volatile substances from their skin, allowing mosqui-
toes to detect them more easily.21
The best bets for preventing bites include wearing long sleeves and pants, and stay-
ing away from shady areas and vegetation.
Mysteries
The key to combating the scourge brought on by mosquitoes is to better understand
them. However, after more than a century of research, a number of mysteries remain. For
example, no one has explained why mosquitoes use blood in their reproductive process.
Neither do we know how mosquitoes distinguish between hosts. Moreover, we do not
comprehend even the basics, such as mating behavior (which may be based on acoustics
and wing beat frequencies) or how a mosquito develops the sucking force necessary to
pull blood through a feeding tube with a diameter so small that resulting friction should
make it impossible. In addition, why certain species of mosquitoes support the develop-
ment of one type of pathogen and not another remains a mystery.22
Final Thoughts
According to a recent book, mosquitoes, together with other disease-causing parasites,
may have contributed to the demise of the dinosaurs.23 There may be a similar scenario in
store for mankind. We know that throughout history, deadly epidemics in humans were
often caused by pathogens not previously experienced. These novel or emerging patho-
gens are usually mutated strains of existing organisms or the transfer of disease-causing
agents from reservoir animal hosts.24 Even though there are many species that feed on
blood, including vampire bats, leeches, bed bugs, ticks, mites, hookworms and candirus,
there is still no better means of transfer than that offered by the ubiquitous and still myste-
rious mosquito.
References
1. Spielman A, D’Antonio M, Mosquito—A Natural History of our Most Persistent and Deadly Foe. New York, NY:
Hyperion 2001.
2. Ibid.
3. Painter K. “Mosquitoes: you’re covered.” USA Today. 23 June 2008: [Life, page 6d].
4. Op cit 1.
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. http://cdc.gov/malaria/biology/mosquito. Accessed 22
July 2008.
6. Op cit 1.
7. Ibid.
8. Kalman B. The Life Cycle of a Mosquito. New York, NY: Crabtree Publishing Company 2004.
9. Ibid.
10. Fountain H. “Not just any water will do for mosquitoes.” New York Times. 15 July 2008: [Science, Observatory,
page 3].
11. Op cit 5.
12. Arbovirus facts http://www.dhpe.org/infect/Arbovirus.html