France releases sterilized male carp to combat the invasive species

The French company Terratis has started an innovative program near the city of Montpellier, releasing approximately 1.5 million sterilized male tiger mosquitoes weekly to control an invasive species associated with diseases such as Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya.

This method, known as the 'sterile insect technique', involves exposing male mosquitoes to X-rays to sterilize their sperm, so they cannot produce viable eggs. These males do not bite humans and do not transmit diseases, and by mating them with wild females, the mosquito population gradually decreases.

In the context of the expansion of the tiger mosquito in Europe, the program in France aims to reduce health risks and discomfort caused by these insects. Terratis intends to increase production to 40 million sterilized males per week in the next two years, providing an ecological alternative to traditional pesticides.

If the method proves effective, France could become a model for other European countries in the fight against invasive mosquitoes.