Bio BITES 42: Bites, Blood Meals, and Behavioral Switches: Decoding Mosquito Behavior with Dr. Duvall

Even if mosquitoes make your skin crawl—or you think of them as nothing more than the flying, biting pests we all can’t stand—you'll be surprised by how fascinating they really are. In this episode of Bio Bytes, Dr. Laura Duvall, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences at Columbia University, joins Celine to explore the surprising science behind mosquito behavior.Together, they dive into how blood-feeding and mating trigger long-lasting changes in female mosquitoes, and how neuropeptide signaling shapes their biting and reproductive cycles. You’ll learn how internal physiological states guide behavior in ways that echo patterns in other animals (even us), and how this knowledge could lead to next-generation tools for vector control. The episode also tackles the ethical questions that arise in translating lab findings into public health interventions. Join us to rethink what you know about mosquitoes and learn more about neuroscience, global health, and why mosquitoes really bite.Hosted by Celine Cotran.

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