klinikfarma.com Scientists in Argentina are using nuclear energy as part of an effort to sterilize disease-carrying mosquitoes. With dengue fever cases hitting record levels in the country, the innovative technique is hoped to be an effective solution to controlling the population of disease-carrying mosquitoes.
Trial Since 2016
The technique, which has been in trials since 2016, involves mass breeding and sterilization of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. After going through this process, the mosquitoes are released back into the wild to mate. By releasing sterile male mosquitoes into the environment, it is hoped that the population of disease-carrying mosquitoes can be reduced significantly.
Contraceptive Devices for Insects
Mariana Malter Terrada, Head of the CNEA’s Agricultural Applications Department, explained that the technique is similar to a contraceptive for insects. “The technique aims to control insects through themselves by releasing sterile males into environments where the population of disease-carrying insects needs to be reduced,” she said. The sterile males compete with wild males to mate with wild females, and these matings cannot produce offspring.
Sterile Insect Technique
The method used, known as the Sterile Insect Technique, was first introduced by American entomologist Edward F. Knipling. It has proven effective in controlling local populations of insect pests and disease vectors, and is now being applied to control disease-carrying mosquitoes in Argentina.
