By what characteristics do mosquitoes choose their victims and why?

Many people notice that mosquitoes bite some people more often than others. This is not a coincidence - these insects have very specific criteria for choosing a "victim." Research shows that mosquitoes are guided by smell, body heat, skin chemical composition, and even blood type.

One of the main factors is carbon dioxide. Mosquitoes can sense it from afar, and the more a person emits, the more attractive they become. People with faster metabolism or those who are physically active breathe deeper and release more CO₂ - accordingly, they become targets for insects.

The smell of skin is equally important. Mosquitoes detect molecules of sweat, fatty acids, and amino acids. Each person has a unique chemical composition of skin, and some scents are more "attractive" to mosquitoes. They are especially attracted to lactic acid, which the skin releases after physical activity.

Blood type also plays a role. Studies have shown that people with type O blood get bitten more often than those with other blood types. Also, mosquitoes can sense blood type through skin secretions, even if a person is not sweating.

Body temperature and skin moisture are another criterion. People with warmer skin and active blood circulation become especially "delicious" in the eyes of mosquitoes. That's why pregnant women, who have higher body temperature and exhale more CO₂, often suffer from bites more than others.

It has also been observed that mosquitoes more frequently bite people in dark clothing - dark colors are more visible to insects against the sky, especially in the evening.

It's important to remember that not all mosquitoes drink blood - only females, and they do this exclusively to obtain proteins for egg production. For them, choosing a "victim" is not a whim, but a matter of offspring survival.

Understanding the characteristics by which mosquitoes choose people helps to protect more effectively against bites - by choosing light-colored clothing, reducing physical activity in the evening, and using repellents that mask skin odors.