Mosquitoes Shift from Nectar to Blood, Camphor Receptor Key

Scientists have uncovered a pivotal olfactory cue that drives young female mosquitoes to abandon nectar for blood meals. In a recent laboratory study, researchers observed that as the insects mature, their sense of smell shifts dramatically, with a specific odor receptor becoming highly responsive to camphor—a compound found in many plants and insect repellents. This receptor’s activation appears to trigger the behavioral transition from seeking sugar sources to targeting vertebrate hosts.

The investigation, conducted with genetically engineered mosquitoes, demonstrated that blocking the camphor‑responsive receptor delayed or prevented the shift to blood‑seeking behavior. Conversely, exposing immature females to camphor accelerated the transition, suggesting that the compound acts as an internal cue for host‑seeking readiness. These findings deepen the understanding of mosquito sensory biology and may inform novel strategies for interrupting disease transmission by targeting key olfactory pathways.