Mosquitoes Integrate Multiple Sensory Cues to Find a Human Host (IMAGE)

California Institute of Technology

Mosquitoes Integrate Multiple Sensory Cues to Find a Human Host

Caption

This sensory integration happens as a result of their multi-pronged strategy, which begins with tracking a plume of CO2 upwind. New research from Caltech indicates that mosquitoes also respond to CO2 by exploring visual features they otherwise ignore. This behavior guides them towards potential hosts, where they use cues such as heat and humidity, to locate a landing site.

Credit

Lance Hayashida/Caltech

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