Geosmin is one of the most recognizable and common microbial smells on the planet, and scientists from FIU, Lund University and University of Washington have discovered the organic compound is particularly appealing to mosquitoes looking for a place to lay their eggs.

“It’s the smell of rain as it drops on the parched earth,” said FIU biologist Matthew DeGennaro, who was part of the team that made the discovery. “We now know geosmin is part of the story of how mosquitoes breed.”

— Read more in Scientists bait mosquitoes with one of Earth’s most common scents at Florida International University.