Why mosquitoes are choosing human blood more often, according to scientists

Deep inside Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, far from crowded towns and city streets, scientists found a surprising pattern in the insects they were studying. Mosquitoes living in protected forest areas appeared to have been feeding on humans more often than expected, despite being surrounded by natural habitat. The discovery has raised questions about how environmental change may be altering the relationship between mosquitoes, wildlife and people.The shift does not appear to be happening because mosquitoes suddenly changed their behaviour overnight. Instead, researchers suggest that the loss of animal habitats and shrinking wildlife populations may be gradually pushing some species towards human hosts.DNA analysis revealed a surprising mosquito feeding patternThe investigation took place in two protected areas in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro state: Sítio Recanto Preservar and the Guapiaçu Ecological Reserve.