In Los Angeles, efforts to combat mosquitoes have taken a new turn: introducing more mosquitoes into the environment.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Mosquito Control District has initiated a pilot program where tens of thousands of lab-raised, irradiated male mosquitoes will be released. These mosquitoes have been sterilized by radiation, with the goal of mating with wild females and impregnating them with sterile sperm, rendering any resulting eggs nonviable.
The target of this program is the species Aedes aegypti, which first appeared in Los Angeles County in 2014 and is known for its preference for human hosts.
According to Daniel Hahn, a professor at the University of Florida, Aedes aegypti specifically evolved to live near human homes and bite people, posing a risk of transmitting diseases like yellow fever, chikungunya, Zika, and dengue.
The district released about 20,000 sterile male mosquitoes in a pilot test, with plans to release thousands more in the Sunland-Tujunga area. This strategy reflects efforts to combat the spread of invasive mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases.
Expanding the range of aggressive mosquitoes
Aedes aegypti, not native to the United States, has been present in some areas for centuries. Rising temperatures due to climate change have expanded their range, leading to the transmission of diseases like dengue in Southern California.
Urbanization and habitat expansion have also contributed to the increasing prevalence of Aedes aegypti in the region.
Fighting mosquitoes with mosquitoes
The irradiated mosquitoes used in the program were developed from eggs sourced from the LA area, with the goal of reducing their population without harming humans. The district plans to incubate and release these mosquitoes weekly.
Other regions, like Florida, have also implemented similar programs to combat mosquito populations through irradiation.
A new approach to pest control
The idea of irradiating pests as a method of population control is not new, with the agricultural industry using this technique for fruit flies for decades. As mosquitoes have become resistant to insecticides, new solutions, like irradiation, have become necessary.
While other technologies are also being explored, irradiation programs remain unregulated and cost-effective.
“We wanted to start something now,” Crews said.
Source: www.nbcnews.com
