YOU leave the window open for less than 10 seconds and an entire swarm of mosquitoes are all over you. You are in a literal battle with these tiny buzzing creatures, swatting and scratching, but you look over to your left at your roommate and they seem entirely unaffected.
Why are you a “mosquito magnet”, could it be that something about you in particular tickles their fancy? Is it true that mosquitoes have a preference when it comes to blood-type?
Verdict:
TRUE
Several studies have supported the claim that mosquitoes might be more attracted to those with type O blood over others.
Mosquito bites come solely from females, who rely on the protein in human blood for egg production. Male mosquitoes survive on nectar for nourishment.
A small-scale study conducted in 2004 found that of 64 test subjects, those with blood type O were significantly likely to have a mosquito land on them than on other blood groups A, B and AB.
In 2019, Sri Lankan scientists exposed laboratory-reared female mosquitoes to all four blood groups at once in separate feeders to determine how certain blood types may influence its ability to rear offspring.
After feeding, the DNA of blood in mosquitoes was extracted. The researchers found that the highest preference was observed for the blood group O. However, no one blood type was found to influence a mosquito’s egg production over another.
Generally speaking, mosquitoes do appear to be more attracted to people with blood type O than other blood types.
It is, however, important to note that there are many other factors that may influence the insect’s choice in host, including a person’s hormones, carbon dioxide emission, perfumes, and alcohol intake, among others.
As prevention, if your blood type is O, always have a mosquito repellent with you. You probably smell like a feast to the mosquitoes in your neighbourhood.
References:
1. https://www.snopes.com/fact-
2.https://www.healthline.com/
3. https://www.verywellhealth.
4. https://www.terminix.com/blog/
