How a Mosquito Finds You

A mosquito first notices the carbon dioxide in your breath from far away. As it flies closer, it follows the smell of your skin, then feels your warmth and dampness.

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In the picture

Exhaled carbon dioxide: the breath cloud a mosquito senses from far off
Body odor: skin scents that guide the mosquito in closer
Heat and humidity: the warm, moist skin that confirms the landing spot

Examples

A mosquito buzzing near your face after you run around outside
Mosquitoes gathering at dusk around a sweaty person

Key takeaways

A mosquito can sense the carbon dioxide in your breath from several metres away.
Smell guides it close, and body heat tells it that it has reached skin.