Data for: Cyphers and cycles – a chemical basis of the differential attraction of mosquitoes to human odor

The underpinning chemical drivers, however, remain largely unidentified. Here, we assessed the differential attractiveness of 42 female participants to host-seeking Ae. aegypti, demonstrating that pregnancy or menstrual cycle phase significantly contributed to the individual level of attractiveness.

Chemical and electrophysiological analyses of whole body odor samples identified 27 volatile organic compounds potentially involved in regulating the level of human attractiveness to mosquitoes. Behavioral assays further demonstrated that 1-octen-3-ol – present in the body odor of highly attractive participants and pregnant individuals – and the overall blend ratio of volatile organic compounds are sufficient to modulate mosquito preferences.