14 DAY TRIAL // It was about time somebody did something to keep these pests off our backs. And arms. And legs.
Long story short, a team of researchers have genetically engineered mosquitoes in such ways that the insects cannot really tell the difference between humans and animals.
This means that mosquito species known to have a particularly sweet tooth for humans could one day be tricked into snacking on other warm-blooded animals and leaving us be, sources say.
Although it is true that mosquitoes use cues such as carbon dioxide concentrations and body heat to locate their next meal, it appears that the insects' sense of smell also has an important say in the matter.
Thus, when left without it, the mosquitoes used in these experiments no longer displayed a preference for human blood.
The researchers who worked on this project explain that, for the time being at least, they have absolutely no intentions of releasing these mutant insects into the environment.
However, the data they now have at their disposal might help them roll out more efficient mosquito repellents.