Posted on 01/24/2010 4:43:53 PM PST by decimon
This Behind the Scenes article was provided to LiveScience in partnership with the National Science Foundation.
When the time came for chemical ecologist Walter Leal to test whether humans make a natural odor that attracts mosquitoes, Leal himself was the first to volunteer.
"I measured my own levels," Leal said. "I thought I would set a good example. If you do it first, then others won't be scared."
In truth, there was little if any reason to be frightened. The scientists were looking only for the substance itself, not trying to find out whether the compound would lure the insects into a blood meal. And they found it - nonanal, a substance made by humans and birds that creates a powerful scent that Culex mosquitoes find irresistible.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Somewhat anal ping.
Huh!
Famous Dave, and ruffed grouse at the losing end of my shotgun bring out the mosquito in me.
Another substance for study perhaps? ; )
Found everywhere in the known Universe except Uranus.
No. It’s non-anal. Nonanal is an aldehyde derivative of nonane, the 9-carbon unsaturated hydrocarbon. (You’ve heard of octane, which has 8 carbons). Nonanal is said to have a “fruity or floral” odor.
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Jurassic Park ping. ;') Thanks decimon....nonanal, a substance made by humans and birds that creates a powerful scent that Culex mosquitoes find irresistible.To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list. |
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· Discover · Nat Geographic · Texas AM Anthro News · Yahoo Anthro & Archaeo · Google · · The Archaeology Channel · Excerpt, or Link only? · cgk's list of ping lists · |
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He said nonanal.
During a particularly hot, mosquito-infested night, I lay in a hammock, sipping beer and talking with friends, wearing only levi cut-offs. I got the livin' pi** bit out of me, but the evening was so pleasant, the beer and company so aggreable, that I decided to ignore the pests.
Here's the upshot: After suffering ONE itchy, painful night and day of innumerable mosquito bites, I found I could go out on the porch all night without a single mosquito bite! This lasted the rest of the year.
I think scientists should look for the substance the human body automatically manufactures to discourage mosquitos. That mosquito repellant you buy in sporting goods stores doesn't work all that well, plus it's really smelly.
And I guess then that some people give off more than others? Mosquitoes love me but hardly bother my best friend, for example.
I thought mosquitoes already were wild!?
I have gone through two or three consecutive summers where I wasn’t bitten by a single mosquito and then other summers where I was targeted every day.
I haven’t been bitten in 20 years at least. No bug bites of any kind. For some reason bees and wasps don’t seem to mind my presence, either. Haven’t been stung in many years and many encounters with them.
I have the same problem (being highly attractive to mosquitos).
My theory: Since I brew my own beer, I figure it’s because the bugs know it’s Happy Hour when I show up...
I have the same problem (being highly attractive to mosquitos).
My theory: Since I brew my own beer, I figure it’s because the bugs know it’s Happy Hour when I show up...
I have a theory that mosquitos do not like the taste of garlic or onions - they like ‘sweet blood’. So, if you eat enough garlic or onions, your sweat alone is enough to keep everything away, including mosquitoes.
About 30 years ago I read a guidebook to outdoor activities which claimed that taking large doses of Vitamin B1 for a number of days (weeks?) would make you less appealing to the bugs. I don’t know whether there is any scientific evidence for that. Some people definitely do attract more bugs. Wearing any kind of floral perfume or fragrance is bad (for humans), and certain colors of clothing are supposed to be bad. I noticed that this nonanal stuff is supposed to smell fruity or flowery. The main diet of mosquitoes, esp. males (who do not bite) is nectar.
I live in Florida and the mosquitoes don’t bite me for some reason. But they will tear someone up two feet away.
Poison ivy has not effect on me either. I could rub it on my face.
Kinda weird.
They come for the blood, but stay for the beer, maybe?
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