Italian Trial Cuts Tiger Mosquito Reproduction By 90%

Researchers in Rome, Italy, reduced the reproductive capacity of tiger mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus) by 90% during a pilot program using a sustainable insect control technique. The team at Enea Casaccia, collaborating with Google and Sapienza University of Rome, released male mosquitoes carrying the Wolbachia bacteria. These bacteria render females infertile when they mate with the released males, preventing viable eggs from developing and surviving the winter.

This innovative approach offers an alternative to chemical insecticides and aims to control the spread of viruses like dengue, chikungunya, and Zika, which are increasingly present in Europe. The experiment focused specifically on the tiger mosquito, an invasive species known for being a nuisance and disease vector.

Researchers expect further trials in 2026 will amplify these positive results, strengthening public health measures in urban and surrounding areas. The technique relies on releasing large numbers of sterile males to maximize impact on the mosquito population.