A breakthrough technique has been used to eradicate mosquitoes in two test sites in China. Researchers have targeted the Aedes albopictus which causes diseases like zika and dengue. They have made use of two population control methods viz radiation and a strain of bacteria in two sites on the river islands in Guangzhou.
The radiation method sterilises the mosquitoes and the strain of bacteria named Wolbachia leaves mosquito eggs dead on arrival. Professor Armbruster said that the results were remarkable. He found that the number of hatched mosquito eggs plunged by 94 percent and not a single viable egg was recorded upto 13 weeks. The study demonstrates the potential of a potent new tool according to Professor Armbruster of Georgetown University.
