Controlling Mosquitoes With Bacteria

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01/02/2009

Jan. 02, 2009

Controlling Mosquitoes With Bacteria

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Mosquitoes are known for spreading infections like malaria, dengue, and yellow fever. Now, however, a team of researchers reports using a bacterial infection to help control mosquito populations. The scientists infected the mosquitoes associated with dengue fever with a bacterial parasite, Wolbachia. They report this week in the journal Science that the bacterial infection cut the lifespan of the mosquitoes in half -- a finding that may help control the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses.

Produced by Flora Lichtman, Correspondent and Managing Editor, Video

Guests

Andrew Read
Professor of Biology and Entomology,
Eberly College of Science Distinguished Senior Scholar
Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA

Jan. 02, 2009