Mosquito Taste Buds: The key to reducing mosquito-borne illnesses?
A new study on the Aedes aegypti could hold the key to reducing mosquito-borne illnesses. Mosquitoes have taste buds. Who knew? The Aedes aegypti is a nasty blood-sucker. Known as the yellow fever mosquito, this thirsty aerial invader is also responsible for the spread of dengue fever, chikungunya, and Zika virus. Scientists have found that mosquitoes have taste buds, making the female mosquito able to differentiate between salty and sweet. What does human blood taste like? We are sweet and savory to the Aedes aegypti, which makes us much different from nectar. Human blood to mosquitoes, could be likened to a salt-rimmed margarita or a salted caramel cappuccino.