Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
Almost everyone has felt the buzz mosquito which often flies around the ear. It was considered one of the disturbances given by the species insect the blood sucker.
A professor of entomology at the University of Arizona, United States, Michael Riehle explains the buzzing in the ears of mosquitoes is the effect of flapping wings.
“Kepakan [sayap] They have a long range, so you’re most aware of them when they’re flying around your ear,” says Michael.
He further explained that the buzzing sound most likely came from a female mosquito. That’s because male and female mosquitoes lead very different lives.
Male mosquitoes usually perch and suck flower nectar. They are called don’t care about humans. While female mosquitoes, need to find food, namely blood after mating in order to have enough energy to produce eggs.
“From a distance, [nyamuk betina] see the mark on the carbon dioxide that we [manusia] exhale in the form of our bodies,” Michael was quoted as saying Live Science.
“The carbon dioxide stimulates the female mosquito to start looking for a host, flying back and forth down a concentration gradient back to the source.”
In short, mosquitoes buzz around human heads because that’s where humans emit the most carbon dioxide.
Female mosquitoes detect humans through body heat and carbon dioxide in the victim’s body. The female mosquito uses heat sensors in its legs to determine whether it is a human, or an animal containing blood.
While some studies show that blood type O is called the blood type that is suitable for female mosquitoes to target. Even so, Michael has not found research that states between blood type and mosquito attraction.
Instead, he believes that there are other factors, such as a person’s genetics, that have a big influence on how ‘tasty’ a person’s blood is.
He explained, each skin produces a different aroma. This is referred to as a distinct attraction for some mosquitoes. Thus, mosquitoes are sometimes reluctant to bite some people whose scent does not match.
Another study found that female mosquitoes were more attracted to men who had fewer bacteria on their skin than men with a more diverse range of skin bacteria. These blood-sucking insects also often bite people who wear dark clothes.
When the female flies towards the target, she flaps her wings approximately 500 times per second at a frequency of 450 to 500 hertz. This frequency is like the musical note A, which coincidentally matches the note the orchestra set before the concert.
Quoted Goody Feed, to prevent mosquitoes from nuisance around us, one of the best ways is to wear long, light colored clothing, use insect repellent, and stay away from mosquito spots (eg wetlands) at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
Meanwhile, another theory states that the buzzing sound is intended for mating, where the female mosquito buzzes to attract the male mosquito to her. However, this theory has not been supported by further research.
In addition, male bloodsuckers tend to look for human feet, which contain bacteria and give off a tantalizing scent to mosquitoes.
However, a 1996 study in the journal Trends in Parasitology found that female mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles are at risk of transmitting the malaria parasite because they can attract bacteria on human feet.
(can/DAL)
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