University of Maryland researchers have engineered a fungal “mosquito STD” that could slash malaria transmission—even among insecticide-resistant mosquitoes. Meanwhile, Las Vegas is facing a surge in West Nile Virus (WNV) cases, highlighting the urgent need for innovative mosquito control across the nation.
The new method deploys a modified Metarhizium fungus laden with insect-specific neurotoxins. Engineered spores adhere to male mosquitoes, who then spread the fungus into female partners during mating. In Burkina Faso trials, nearly 90% of females died within two weeks—compared to just 4% in untreated groups. The fungus is harmless to humans and offers a targeted solution without affecting broader ecosystems .
This technology addresses the growing challenge of insecticide resistance. Unlike bed nets and indoor sprays—which mosquitoes circumvent by breeding outdoors—this fungal agent exploits natural mating behavior. The researchers noted that treated males can spread spores for up to 24 hours and that infected females lose insecticide resistance before dying, doubling its impact.
The timing of this breakthrough is critical. Las Vegas and greater Southern Nevada are enduring record mosquito and West Nile activity, with more than 3,000 positive mosquito pools reported across 16 ZIP codes as of early June 2024. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes—capable of carrying dengue, Zika, and now West Nile—have spread rapidly through the Valley. While human WNV cases in 2023 were low, officials warn that mosquito bites could start infecting residents and visitors soon
