20 seconds to bite: Scientists outsmart killer mosquitoes with gene editing

“Color-coded” genetic method makes it easy to distinguish male and female mosquitoes. (Image: Philippos Papathanos)

A team of scientists has developed a gene-editing method that separates male and female mosquitoes automatically. This breakthrough could improve mosquito control programmes. It is especially useful in tackling diseases like dengue, Zika and chikungunya.

The male mosquitoes remained dark-pigmented and behaved normally. Female mosquitoes appeared pale and their eggs dried out quickly if accidentally released. This built-in safety mechanism prevents the modified females from spreading in the wild. The team confirmed that males can mate normally, which is essential for sterile insect release strategies.

The research was conducted by scientists at the University of Perugia, Italy, using

gene-editing technology. Their results were published in Nature Communications, showcasing a safe and scalable technique for mosquito control. This study brings precision to programmes that rely on releasing only male mosquitoes.

Researchers created a Genetic Sexing Strain of the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus). Male mosquitoes appear dark, while females appear pale, making it easy to sort them quickly. Previously, sexing mosquitoes was labour-intensive and prone to errors. This new method allows large-scale separation in a matter of minutes.

Separating male and female mosquitoes is a key step in controlling populations. Only male mosquitoes are released in sterile insect techniques, as females bite and transmit diseases.

Traditional methods were slow, costly and error-prone. This study provides a reliable, efficient and scalable alternative, improving safety and effectiveness in disease prevention programs.

This approach sets the stage for next-generation mosquito control. By efficiently separating sexes, large numbers of males can be released to suppress populations. The method also opens doors for further genetic studies, exploring traits that could reduce disease transmission. In the long term, it could help control multiple mosquito-borne diseases while minimising environmental risks.