The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in collaboration with the Austrian city of Graz has presented the first results of an experiment aimed at sterilizing male mosquitoes. This was reported by the UN News Service.
The methodology used may serve as the basis for a new pest control strategy that includes safe mass breeding and radiation sterilization of insects.
The Aedes albopictus mosquito, known as the "tiger mosquito," was first recorded in Austria in 2012 and has since spread across all federal states. Graz has faced particularly high mosquito populations in recent years, leading to an increase in complaints and a growing threat of arbovirus spread in Europe. In this regard, the city turned to the IAEA, headquartered in Vienna, to initiate research on the MRR methodology.
- The MRR methodology involves the release and recapture of a specific number of marked sterile male mosquitoes in a limited area to analyze the behavior of the local population.
From August to September 2025, more than 800,000 sterile mosquitoes were released over an area of 15 hectares in the southern part of Graz. These individuals were sterilized using radiation, which eliminates the possibility of offspring when mating with wild females.
Experts note that mosquito populations, including invasive species such as Aedes albopictus, are rapidly increasing worldwide, driven by climate change, urbanization, and increased international trade. Warmer conditions and altered precipitation create ideal breeding conditions, allowing species previously confined to tropical regions to successfully adapt in temperate latitudes. This expansion of habitat poses serious public health challenges, as mosquitoes are carriers of dangerous diseases such as chikungunya, dengue, and Zika virus.
“Preliminary results of the study show a high effectiveness of the applied methodology. The sterility rate of the eggs was about 70%, and the number of females caught in traps significantly decreased compared to neighboring untreated areas. This indicates that sterile males successfully compete with wild ones, and their release can significantly reduce mosquito populations in densely populated cities,” the official statement said.
Based on the data obtained, Graz and the IAEA are developing recommendations for further action in anticipation of the 2026 mosquito breeding season.
