Expert Reveals Why Mosquitoes Prefer Some People and the Threat of Asian Tiger Mosquito

Mosquitoes, particularly females, are a common summer nuisance in Israel, known for their buzzing and painful bites. Dr. Alon Zilberbush, an entomologist at Oranim College, explains that mosquitoes are attracted to humans primarily through volatile compounds emitted by the body, starting with carbon dioxide and then more specific scents. People with blood type O, for example, emit a scent cocktail that is especially attractive to mosquitoes. While male mosquitoes feed only on sugars and nectar, females require blood to develop their eggs, with cholesterol recently identified as a key component they seek.

The characteristic buzzing sound is caused by wing movement and serves as a form of communication among mosquitoes, not a deliberate signal to humans. Despite popular belief, blue light insect traps are not very effective against mosquitoes, as they attract various insects but do not reliably kill mosquitoes indoors.

In Israel, about five mosquito species bite humans, with the common house mosquito (Culex pipiens) being the most prevalent and active mainly at night. However, a more aggressive invasive species, the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), has been spreading since 2002. Originating from Southeast Asia, this mosquito thrives due to climate change and human activity, such as global trade transporting larvae in tires and plants. Unlike the house mosquito, the Asian tiger mosquito is active during the day, aggressively targets humans, and adapts to cooler climates, recently being found as far north as Sweden.

Dr. Zilberbush notes that the house mosquito season is ending as summer progresses, but the Asian tiger mosquito population is expected to rise, posing a growing challenge. He emphasizes that human environmental changes, including warmer temperatures and abundant water sources, have created ideal conditions for these mosquitoes to flourish.