Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe How do we control mosquito populations?
Dec 4, 2025
Katrina Whiteson, a biologist and professor, joins the discussion to dive into mosquito biology and control methods. They explore how mosquitoes detect us through CO2, scents, and heat. Katrina explains innovative strategies like the sterile insect technique and Wolbachia, a bacteria that blocks viral replication. The conversation also touches on the implications of GMO releases and gene drives using CRISPR, alongside the ethical concerns and ecological risks involved. It's a fascinating look at the battle against these pesky bloodsuckers!
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Mosquitoes Are A Leading Cause Of Human Death
- Mosquitoes transmit many deadly diseases and are a major global killer, with malaria alone causing hundreds of thousands of deaths annually.
- Controlling mosquitoes targets public health, not just annoyance, and requires careful trade-offs with ecosystems.
How Mosquitoes Track And Choose Hosts
- Mosquitoes find hosts via a multi-step process: CO2 plumes, skin odorants (influenced by the microbiome), then heat and humidity.
- Individual attractiveness varies and may be tied to skin microbes and physiology like pregnancy.
Estimate Mosquito Numbers With Marked Releases
- Use fluorescent dust or genetic markers on lab-reared males to estimate wild mosquito population proportions.
- Attract and recapture mosquitoes with CO2 baited traps, then count marked vs. unmarked to infer population size.
