Mosquitoes befuddled

MOSQUITOES rely on chemical cues such as smell of human breath, sweat and skin to get to a potential prey. This olfactory pathway has spawned several research papers. The latest comes from scientists led by Anandasankar Ray from the University of California, USA. They have discovered chemicals which can prevent mosquitoes from seeking a blood-meal. Mated female mosquitoes seek human blood before laying eggs. This blood meal is essential for the development of mosquito offsprings.