CONICET scientists test new strategy against dengue

Scientists from CONICET are testing an innovative strategy to combat the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the vector for dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. The research utilizes the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), which involves breeding and releasing male mosquitoes sterilized through radiation. When these males mate with wild females, the reproductive cycle is interrupted, leading to non-viable eggs and a progressive decrease in the vector population.

The project is led by specialists Sheila Ons and Agustín Bazzini, in collaboration with the National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA) and various municipalities in the Province of Buenos Aires. Because the technique focuses exclusively on males—which do not bite or transmit diseases—it offers a sustainable alternative to chemical insecticides.

Preliminary laboratory and field pilot tests have shown a positive impact, significantly reducing larval volumes in studied areas. This biological control method is highly specific and has zero impact on native fauna, preserving beneficial insects and preventing the development of resistance to traditional larvicides.