2024-08-26 07:36:00
Mosquitoes are one of the main vectors for transmitting viruses to humans, e.g. denguethis yellow feverthis Zika virus or Chikungunya.
Collateral damage to its simple goals mulberrypreferably human.
To achieve this goal, it integrated multiple detection methods simultaneously, reviews a study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara, published in nature.
Breath detection distance up to ten meters
Aedes aegypti first detects tiny fluctuations in carbon dioxide (CO2) in the air, caused by breathe A person’s. This detection can be performed within a range of more than ten meters from the object.
According to research published Wednesday, it works by“Increase its locomotor activity and increase its responsiveness to other host stimuli”. Especially specific olfactory cueshuman smellthe detectable distance is one to two meters.
However, Aedes aegypti has “Poor eyesight”the effectiveness of these clues in finding the path to the goal is Reduce possible drafts.
On the other hand, once an insect gets very close to human skin, less than ten centimeters away, it knows it has reached its target by detecting it. humidity and heat. We still have to get there.
super power
A team of researchers led by UC Professor Craig Montel sought to find out whether Aedes aegypti mosquitoes could function like rattlesnakes or certain beetles infrared radiation Any creature will be sent out to improve its position.
The human body naturally loses energy, some of which is lost in the form of infrared radiation. The same exposer, in night vision gogglesnocturnal human or animal form.
The researchers conducted a behavioral experiment in which 80 female mosquitoes were placed in a cage just a few centimeters away from two plates, one of which had an ambient temperature of 29.5 degrees Celsius, typical of hot countries, and the other that could be brought to the human body Skin temperature: 34 degrees Celsius.
The device also emits clouds of carbon dioxide and diffuses human sweat odors from old gloves.
Then, by combining these elements and filming the mosquitoes’ behavior, they found that a single cue, carbon dioxide, odor, or skin temperature from infrared radiation from the plates, caused very weak responses.
The combination of odor and carbon dioxide is noticeably more pronounced. and Maximizes effectiveness by combining infrared radiation, scent and carbon dioxide.
Toward the “more effective” trap?
Studies indicate that surface temperatures of other mammals in human environments may vary by up to 10 degrees Celsius. Bad luck, that’s human skin “Which one is most attractive to mosquitoes”, According to research.
It states that Aedes aegypti mosquitoes have been observed to detect infrared radiation from the skin At least 70 cm long theme.
in the distance “middle” Detects carbon dioxide and body odor on the one hand, and skin heat and moisture on the other.
The UC research team explained this ability through cutting-edge infrared radiation heating. neurons located in the antennae of insects.
It’s getting warmer this time “In turn activates heat-sensitive receptors”, According to research.
Author’s hypothesis “Infrared detection could be widely used in blood-sucking mosquitoes to move towards warm-blooded hosts”.
If that’s the case, researchers suggest the possibility of designing “A more effective mosquito trap.”
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