How do female mosquitoes locate their blood meal hosts?

Female mosquitoes primarily locate their blood meal hosts through olfactory cues, particularly by detecting carbon dioxide and body heat. When a mammal exhales, it releases carbon dioxide, which female mosquitoes can detect from considerable distances. This chemical signal indicates the presence of a potential host and helps guide the mosquito toward it.

In addition to carbon dioxide, female mosquitoes are also sensitive to body heat and odors emitted by the skin and sweat of mammals. This combination of cues—carbon dioxide indicating proximity and body heat providing further confirmation of the host's presence—enables mosquitoes to effectively locate their next blood meal.

The other options involve methods that are not significant in the host-seeking behavior of female mosquitoes. For instance, while sight can play a role at close range, it is not the primary method for locating hosts. Following light sources is less relevant for mosquitoes, as they are typically attracted to carbon dioxide and the warmth of mammals rather than light. Listening for sounds made by mammals is also not a key factor in their feeding habits.