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6 months ago
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University of Washington researchers said mosquitoes are attracted to certain colors while ignoring others, "which they can use to avoid annoying bites in the summer."
The study revealed that mosquitoes are attracted to red, orange, black, and cyan colors, and ignore green, purple, blue, and white colors.
“There are three main signals that attract mosquitoes: your breath, your sweat, and your skin temperature,” said Jeffrey Revell, a professor of biology at the University of Washington. “In this study, we found a fourth signal: the color red.”
The study tracked the behaviors of female yellow fever mosquitoes and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes when they were exposed to different types of visual cues and odors.
The researchers observed the insects in miniature test chambers that were filled with different scents and visual patterns, including a colored dot or a human hand.
Without any odor stimulus, the mosquitoes ignored the spot in the room, regardless of its color.
When a spray of carbon dioxide was added, the mosquitoes flew toward the red, orange, black, or cyan dots, and avoided the green, blue, or purple dots.
Humans exhale carbon dioxide, which causes mosquitoes' eyes to prefer certain wavelengths in the visual spectrum, just as humans are drawn to a particular bakery after smelling fresh bread.
English (US)