A new 3D model reveals how mosquitoes adjust their flight patterns in response to visual and chemical cues. The research could help in the design of more effective traps and mosquito control strategies.

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MIT and Georgia Tech researchers have developed the first 3D mathematical model of mosquito flight behavior, based on 53 million data points from over 477,000 flight trajectories. The model identifies three distinct flight patterns: a 'fly-by' when only visual cues are present, 'double-takes' when only chemical cues like CO2 are detected, and an 'orbiting' pattern when both cues are combined. Notably, the combined-cue response is not simply additive. The model can predict mosquito behavior in response to additional cues like heat and odor, and could inform the design of more effective multisensory mosquito traps. An interactive app has been released to let users experiment with the model.

New model predicts how mosquitoes will fly