Swatting at mosquitoes might not be pointless after all

Can't stand mosquitoes? Don't stop swatting. 

They can actually learn to associate movements like swatting or shivering with human odors, according to a new study. Presumably not eager to go splat, the mosquitoes in the study learned to avoid the smell of a person who posed a threat. 

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And, yes, mosquitoes have preferences when it comes to meals. Human beings are a favorite, and they even gain preferences for certain individuals (all the better if the person's had a few drinks). 

Researchers for the new study exposed the insects to human odors along with shocks and vibrations. Later, mosquitoes flew upwind and had to choose between the smell of a tasty human — which they previously preferred — and a control odor.  Read more...

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