Scientists reveal what attracts mosquitoes to humans – our citrusy smell

Study also identifies parts of mosquito brain that respond to humans

Mosquitoes have been found to do “something remarkably simple” to detect human odour (Getty Images)

Mosquitoes have always preferred to feast on humans over other animals but exactly how they distinguish between the two has remained a mystery until now.

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes have evolved to bite humans by exclusively relying on odour molecules distinct from those exuded by other creatures in the surrounding environment, revealed a new study published in the journal Nature.

These mosquitoes, which act as vectors for diseases like Zika, dengue and yellow fever, strongly prefer human odour over the odour of animals.