A 2022 Rockefeller University study pinpoints carboxylic acids in human skin emissions as a major attractant for mosquitoes, explaining why some people are irresistible to the pesky insects.
May 25, 2025: It’s a question we’ve all wondered during summer nights: why do mosquitoes seem to love some people more? A new study has uncovered a fascinating answer — it’s all about your skin’s scent.
Researchers at the Rockefeller University, in a 2022 study published in Cell, found that people who produce higher levels of certain skin acids are significantly more attractive to mosquitoes. Specifically, they identified carboxylic acids as a key draw for female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the primary culprits in the spread of dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika.
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The team’s experiment involved collecting natural skin scents using nylon stockings worn on volunteers’ arms. These stockings were cut into small pieces and placed behind trap doors in a mosquito-filled chamber.
Lead researcher Leslie Vosshall shared that one volunteer, dubbed “subject 33,” was especially magnetic:
“Subject 33 won a hundred games. They were totally undefeated. Nobody beat them.”
Chemical analysis revealed that this volunteer produced significantly higher levels of carboxylic acids in their skin emissions, making them a mosquito magnet.
The study also suggested a potential genetic link: variations in carboxylic acid receptor genes might amplify this effect.
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Still a Mystery, But a Path Forward
The exact reason why mosquitoes crave these acids remains unclear. However, the unique skin chemistry — or “skin climate” — of each person is thought to play a key role.
The researchers acknowledged the limitations of their work, noting they couldn’t remove carboxylic acids from the volunteers’ skin to confirm their full importance.
“Human skin odor is a complex blend of several classes of chemical compounds,” the study stated. “Our study focused exclusively on carboxylic acid groups.”
Given that mosquito-borne illnesses affect around 700 million people annually, these insights could pave the way for more effective mosquito repellents.
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mosquito attraction, carboxylic acids, Rockefeller University study, skin odorants, Aedes aegypti, mosquito repellent research, Cell journal, mosquito-borne diseases, public health, India science news