A new study reported by Phys.org sheds light on a pivotal moment in a mosquito's life: the switch from a nectar-only diet to blood feeding. Scents already govern many mosquito behaviors, but researchers have now identified a specific odor receptor that reacts to camphor and appears tied to this transition in young females.
The work suggests that this receptor helps trigger the behavioral shift, though the source does not specify whether the receptor is activated by camphor alone or in combination with other cues. The study adds to a growing picture of how mosquitoes use smell to find hosts.
Because the receptor is linked to blood-seeking, it may offer a target for interventions that disrupt mosquito feeding. The source notes the finding but does not include details on experimental methods or whether the receptor is present in males or other mosquito species.