Toxic semen from male mosquitoes can kills females one: Study

A novel and innovative technique has been found by scientists that could curb the spread of diseases such as malaria and dengue. Australian scientists said that genetically engineered mosquitoes with ‘toxic semen’ could be an innovative solution for pest control after trying the new method. The study was published in peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications.

The “toxic male technique” involves breeding mosquitoes with venomous proteins in their semen, which kill females after mating. It is to be noted that only female mosquitoes bite and drink blood, thereby spreading diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. Male mosquitoes primarily eat plant juices and nectar to get the sugar they need for energy and survival as their proboscis isn’t strong to pierce skin. Female mosquitoes bite hosts like humans to obtain blood as they need protein present in it to develop their eggs. Doing this can transmit deadly diseases.

The lifespan of a male mosquito is much shorter than females – just 6 or 7 days. On the other hand, females can live up to 5 months or longer. Scientist Sam Beach from Australia’s Macquarie University said the technique “could work as quickly as pesticides without also harming beneficial species”