The Science Behind Mosquito Choices

For years, a popular belief circulated in Argentina and around the world that some people get more mosquito bites because they have sweeter blood. However, reports published on July 30, 2026 by major Argentine news outlets like Infobae and TN debunked this theory. According to Dr. Rubén Bueno, an entomologist from the University of Valencia, what truly attracts these insects are the chemical compounds they perceive on the skin surface, not the taste of the blood itself.

The specialist detailed that every person emits a unique combination of physical and chemical stimuli. The main attractants include the carbon dioxide (CO2) we exhale when breathing, as well as substances released by sweat and skin, such as lactic acid and octenol. This mixture creates a unique scent plume that can be more or less attractive to mosquitoes.

Why Do They Target Ankles and Ears?

Spanish biologist Manuel Peinado offered fascinating details about the specific body parts these vectors prefer. In an interview, the expert pointed out that mosquitoes tend to attack ankles mainly because of the sweat compounds concentrated in that area. Additionally, if you are tucked into bed, they will seek out your ears, another spot with abundant sweat glands.

Peinado also clarified that only females bite, as they need the blood nutrients to develop their eggs. Males, on the other hand, feed on nectar and plant liquids.