Buzzed and Blotched: How Mosquitoes May Trigger Chameleon Skin Color Changes

What began as a curious photo on iNaturalist—a mosquito perched on a Calumma globifer with a dark patch beneath it—has led to a surprising scientific investigation. In a 2023 study, Garcia et al. explored whether mosquito bites can induce skin discoloration in chameleons. After combing through online platforms like Facebook and iNaturalist, researchers found multiple images of chameleons—including Furcifer minor, F. nicosiai, and Veiled Chameleons—with similar dark spots following mosquito contact.

To test the phenomenon, scientists placed six chameleons (two Furcifer oustaleti and four Furcifer lateralis) in enclosures with 25 unfed female Asian tiger mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus). Simultaneously, they pricked the chameleons with needles to simulate trauma. The results were striking: only the F. lateralis developed black discolorations after mosquito bites, while needle pricks had no effect. F. oustaleti showed no discoloration at all.

The researchers propose three possible mechanisms: mosquito saliva may contain local anesthetics, nitric oxide, or proteins that activate melanophores—pigment cells responsible for color change. This unexpected link between insect bites and pigmentation opens new avenues in reptile dermatology and immunology.

Citation: 

Garcia, P., Diaz Jr., R.E., Anderson, C.V., Andrianjafy, T.M., de Beer, L., Edmonds, D.A., & Carney, R.M. (2023). Mosquito bite-induced color change in chameleon skin. Herpetological Review, 54(3), 353–358.