Study finds skin bacteria shape why mosquitoes bite some people more

A new study has identified why mosquitoes bite some people more frequently than others, pointing to skin bacteria and body odor as key factors that attract the insects. Researchers in Miami placed the arms of roughly 120 volunteers into a custom odor-measuring device and measured the response of three mosquito species. The team found that bacteria living on the skin break down sweat and natural oils, producing specific scents that mosquitoes can detect easily. Samples taken from participants' forearm skin identified 246 different microorganisms, highlighting the diversity of the skin's microbial community. The findings suggest that the composition of a person's skin microbiome influences how attractive they are to mosquitoes. Researchers said the results could support the development of new repellents that target the microbes responsible for the odors rather than the insects themselves. The study was conducted in Miami and focused on three mosquito species commonly studied in laboratory settings. No further details on commercial applications or timelines were immediately available.