Genetic control of mosquitoes.

Abstract

Summary Genetic control of mosquitoes offers a possible ancillary method to traditional types of control. The principal mechanisms available in mosquitoes for genetic control include dominant, recessive and conditional lethals, behavioral mechanisms, sterility, cytoplasmic incompatibility, hybrid sterility, meiotic drive mechanisms and sex-ratio distorting genes. Cytoplasmic incompatibility, radiation and/or chemically-induced male sterility and hybrid sterility have been tried in the field, on a limited basis. Cytoplasmic incompatibility and chemosterilized male releases have thus far been most successful; the failure of other field trials is largely traceable to the lack of competitiveness of the treated males. Current research in mosquito genetics which seems to hold the most promise for the future includes salivary gland chromosome studies, hybridization studies, genetic studies of proteins, cytotaxonomy, and translocations.