They discover a bacterium that could stop it from spreading in Spain.

“Wolbachia” is a genus of gram-negative bacteria that infects arthropod species.

The bacteria mark crucial progress in the fight against tiger mosquitoes and highlight the importance of addressing emerging environmental health challenges.

Investigation published in a scientific journal Insectsfound that bacteria Wolbachia could play a key role in stopping the spread of the tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) in Spain, which transmits diseases such as dengue fever, Zika or chikungunya.

This is the research IWolbachia infection through hybridization to enhance suppression of Aedes albopictus use of incompatible insect control methods in eastern Spaininvestigation they were involved in Ruben Buenoentomologist and technical director of Rentokil Initial, together with other researchers from the University of Valencia and the Italian National Agency for Biotechnology, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development.

“Wolbachia” is a genus of gram-negative bacteria that infects arthropod species and appears in nature, causing phenomena that change biology host reproduction. Crosses between males infected with this bacterium and females not infected with the strain lead to cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), that is, a state of sterility of the eggs. Something that scientists believe can be used as a vector control tool.

To conduct the study, the Wolbachia strain was introduced into the Asian tiger mosquito population through a hybridization process with the laboratory strain ARwP, already tested as a vector control tool. As a consequence, eggs obtained from hybrid males and unmodified wild females were 99.9% sterile, demonstrating the viability of the tiger mosquito control program in Spain using Wolbachia.

According to experts, the use of Wolbachia bacteria marks decisive progress in the fight against tiger mosquito and shows the importance of addressing new environmental health issues. However, it is critical to coordinate the implementation of effective pest management practices to protect communities from vector-borne diseases.

tiger mosquito

The tiger mosquito, native to Southeast Asia, has become one of the species mosquitoes that bother you the most in Spain due to its ability to transmit diseases such as dengue, Zika virus and chikungunya. In addition, it is distinguished by its ability to reproduce and adapt, as it is an insect that can thrive, especially in urban environments, which increases the risk of epidemic outbreaks.

The tiger mosquito was first discovered in Spain in 2004. Since then, this species has managed to settle in 40 Spanish provinces. There is also a risk of contracting diseases such as Zika, chikungunya or dengue. In fact, in the case of dengue, Since 2018, 16 cases of indigenous dengue fever have been reported in Spain.This is evidenced by data from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

According to experts, the development of vaccines and drugs, as well as prevention strategies prevention and control of mosquito populations On a large scale they have had limited success. And in recent years, pest control companies have also been faced with a new challenge: insecticide resistance in arboviral vectors (arthropod-borne viruses), a critical problem they are already addressing with new control strategies.