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Study Finds Exploiting ‘Fruitless’ Gene Could Stop Mating Mosquitoes
Mutating the gene cut male yellow fever mosquitoes' hearing to one-sixth of normal and blocked attraction to female wingbeats, researchers said.
- In a new study published in PLOS Biology, researchers identified the 'fruitless' gene as the mechanism allowing male Aedes mosquitoes to locate females by listening for wingbeat sounds.
- Scientists have long studied reproductive mechanisms to control disease-spreading mosquitoes, including Zika, by understanding how males detect females via wingbeat frequencies—450 Hz for females versus 750 Hz for males.
- Collaborating with Daniel Eberl from the University of Iowa, Nagoya University researchers found that mutating the 'fruitless' gene impairs auditory neuron response, causing mutant males to exhibit female-like behavior.
- "This research revealed that fruitless is responsible for establishing male auditory function," Eberl said, adding that targeting this gene and its downstream molecular motor proteins could interfere with mosquito reproduction.
- This breakthrough provides a new strategy for population control, as males rely on Johnston organ auditory neurons to modulate hearing and locate partners, potentially decimating disease-spreading populations by preventing mating.
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39 Articles
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Joo-young = A gene involved in male mosquitoes locating females by listening to the sound of their wings to mate has been identified. This gene contains...
·Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources39
Leaning Left7Leaning Right10Center18Last UpdatedBias Distribution51% Center
Bias Distribution
- 51% of the sources are Center
51% Center
L 20%
C 51%
R 29%
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