Researchers uncover mosquitoes’ infrared detection abilities in host-seeking behavior

In a groundbreaking discovery, a team of researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) has identified a new sensory capability in mosquitoes: infrared detection.

This finding adds to the growing understanding of how mosquitoes, particularly the species ‘Aedes aegypti’, are so adept at locating human hosts.

The study revealed that mosquitoes do not rely on a single cue to find their targets. Instead, they utilize a combination of different senses, engaging them at various distances.

The team’s research has now shown that infrared radiation, specifically from a source with a temperature similar to human skin, significantly enhances mosquitoes’ host-seeking behavior when it is combined with the presence of carbon dioxide (CO2) and human odor.

During experiments, mosquitoes demonstrated a strong preference for infrared sources, particularly when they were actively searching for a host. This suggests that infrared detection plays a crucial role in how mosquitoes identify and locate their targets.