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EU battles invasive mosquito species with sterilization

Spanish laboratory breeds and sterilizes thousands of tiger mosquitoes to fight dengue fever

News Lead:

An invasive species of mosquito, the tiger mosquito, has established itself in 13 European Union (EU) countries, including France, raising concerns about the potential spread of diseases like dengue fever, Zika virus, and chikungunya virus.

In response, a Spanish laboratory is employing a novel approach to combat the spread of the mosquito: breeding and sterilizing thousands of tiger mosquitoes.

The tiger mosquito, native to Southeast Asia, thrives in warm, humid climates and has become a global health concern due to its ability to transmit various diseases. It is smaller and more aggressive than native mosquito species, and its bites can cause severe itching and discomfort.

The sterilization technique involves exposing male tiger mosquitoes to radiation, which renders them infertile without affecting their mating behavior. When these sterile males are released into the wild, they compete with fertile males for mates, leading to a reduction in the population of the mosquito species.

The laboratory in Spain is part of a larger EU-funded project called “TigerCons,” which aims to develop innovative and environmentally friendly methods to control the spread of the tiger mosquito. The project brings together scientists, researchers, and public health officials from across Europe.

The sterilization technique has shown promising results in reducing the population of tiger mosquitoes in other areas where it has been implemented. It is hoped that the project in Spain will further validate the effectiveness of this approach and contribute to the development of comprehensive strategies for managing the invasive mosquito species across the EU.