Hopes for sterile males

A new technique for sorting male and female mosquito larvae may lead to the use of sterile males in tackling malaria. Nigel Williams reports. the testicles of the male mosquitoes fluorescent, allowing the scientists to distinguish and easily separate them from females. The plan is to breed, sterilize and release millions of these male insects so they mate with females but produce no offspring. Crisanti said: “Our mosquitoes are nearly ready for testing in the wild. This is a technology that works and could make a real difference. The beauty is that it’s very specific. Unlike insecticides, sterile males target only the species you want to attack.” Mosquitoes that spread malaria have long been a target for sterile male technology, which has been used to eradicate the screwworm fly in the US, Mexico and Central America. The International Atomic Energy Agency has been using its radiation technology to support