If mosquitoes bite you but never your other half, blame your genes

IF you frequently find yourself covered in mosquito bites, while your other half escapes without so much as an itch, you can blame your genes.

Scientists believe some people are simply born to attract mosquitoes.

In experiments they found that people’s body smell attracted the insects in different ways – and this was strongly influenced by genetics.

The scientists, led by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, found that pairs of identical twins – who share 100 per cent of their genes, are equally attrac- tive to mosquitoes. But non-identical twins, who only share about 50 per cent of their genes, differ in the degree to which they attract the bugs.

The research, published last night in the journal PLOS One, provides strong evidence that a person’s chance of being bitten is genetically driven.

The results show that the trait is linked to genes in a similar way that height and IQ are genetically driven. The findings build on previous work linking body odour to the chances of being attacked by mosquitoes.

The researchers, also including scientists from Nottingham University, Rothamsted Research in Hertfordshire, and the University of Florida, believe some people produce a natural insect repellent that keeps them safe.

They believe that, with further research, it may be possible to take a pill that encourages the production of this substance. The study involved 18 identical and 19 nonidentical twin pairs.

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which transmit dengue fever, were released into a Y-shaped tube which divides into two sections. They were allowed to fly down either side towards the odour from the study participants’ hands to see to which twin they were most attracted.

Lead scientist Dr James Logan, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: ‘By investigating the genetic mechanism behind attractiveness to biting insects such as mosquitoes we can move closer to using this knowledge for better ways of keeping us safe from bites and the diseases insects can spread through bites.

‘If we understand the genetic basis for variation between individ- uals it could be possible to develop ways to control mosquitoes better.

‘In the future we may even be able to take a pill which will enhance the production of natural repellents by the body and ultimately replace skin lotions.’

‘Natural repellents’