Study finds mosquitoes can remember their favorite targets

Researchers from Virginia Tech have gained insights into the likes and dislikes of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

According to their study, the pesky and sometimes dangerous insects remember their favorite targets but can also be trained to stay away from them.

The team found that dopamine plays a large role in the former, with mosquitoes’ tiny brains showing neural activity in the portion that processes smells and an increase in dopamine, which makes scents easier to distinguish and potentially learn.

While that is distressing news for those who happen to fit the aroma profile mosquitoes prefer, there is hope.

Researchers also discovered that repeated deterrents like swatting and other defensive behaviors resulted in the mosquitoes finding another target, even if it isn’t as tempting.

Exactly which aromas tend to most excite and motivate the insects remains unknown, but the team believes they have embarked upon a path that could lead to more efficient means of mosquito control.

“For example, we could target mosquitoes’ ability to learn and either impair it or exploit it to our advantage,” Clément Vinauger, one of the scientists, commented.