An experiment to reduce the mosquito population

The mosquito is the deadliest animal on Earth, and the tiny Aedes aegypti may be the worst species of all, spreading diseases like West Nile, malaria and dengue fever. Correspondent David Pogue reports on a test conducted in Fresno, Calif., to reduce the rising mosquito population there, by releasing sterile males, bred in a factory, to mate with females in the wild. Did the experiment work?
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[@iheomanwakpadolu2576]

We need this in Nigeria quick. Those things are nasty. Not just the diseases they carry but they wont allow you to sleep or enjoy the outdoors.

[@zeenohaquo7970]

oh yes, i caught malaria 8 to 10 times a year when I lived in Kano. Nigeria really needs this.

[@MrVinny873]

It’s so bizarre.. here there is a method how to reduce the mosquito population without the use of chemicals or genetic manipulation, that way we can all enjoy the outdoors, and people still don’t like it!

[@scholasticacooney6830]

Disappointed that the segment didn't talk to an entomologist about the negative effect of ridding the world of mosquitos, which I am sure there must be. You can't take one piece out of the ecological puzzle w/o ramifications.

[@alexthompson9516]

Exactly.

[@ciello___8307]

Well the big problem is the invasive species of mosquito. I doubt there would be a negative effect if those Aegis mosquitos werent' supposed to be in the ecosystem anywas

[@seriouslyreally5413]

And I suppose you're worried they didn't study the impact of eliminating smallpox and polio to the ecosystem either when they developed the vaccines and eradication programs to stomp those microorganisms out too... eh?

[@MorpheusRage]

@@seriouslyreally5413 what a proudly unscientific comment. There are always trade offs. Ignoring them because you prefer the alternative doesn't protect you from the consequences either way. Awareness allows further adaptation. Ignorance is death.

[@MorpheusRage]

Mosquitoes feed bats which also eat crop pests. Be careful what you wish for. Less mosquitoes= less bats= more crop pests.

[@collarclatch6414]

If I am not mistaken the Aedes aegypti mosquito also is responsible for heartworms in dogs.

[@buds8423]

Several Genus of mosquitoes carry and transmit heart worm, Aedes is one, but Anopheles is present over a larger area of the USA.

[@michaelreed4744]

Hello. We can study the use of dragonflies in helping to control the mosquito population.

[@ebybeehoney]

That's great! We also need to stop climate change, clean water, stop pesticide pollution, and protect habitat of the dragonflies.

[@michaelmisczuk7570]

The nymphs eat more than the adults

[@RoccosVideos]

Good, mosquitos suck. Pun intended.

[@crawnyxx]

See that electric racket 🎾 yah, even they are still annoyed by swatting them 😆

[@caruniv3287]

We bought one of those. Though these mosquitoes are alot more agile and not very easy to hit.

[@rr7firefly]

Mosquitos, roaches, rats, mice. Get rid of them all.

[@ericklemus4703]

they serve a purpose, if they go a lot of other animals go as well.

[@roxannemitchell6112]

Also, flies. Who spit and s__t every three seconds. Major disease carriers.

[@rr7firefly]

@@roxannemitchell6112 My roommate in college was a grad student who was researching flies. He explained to me that they are instrumental in pollination of several plant species. I was shocked. From then on I had to at least give them that. (Though you are absolutely right to be repulsed by their attraction to crap on the ground. Maggot nursery!)

[@rr7firefly]

@@ericklemus4703 Please, because I am interested, tell me more. Is it providing a food source for other animals? Birds and bats, for example?

[@christinacascadilla4473]

Oh dear…just an ad for a podcast.

[@davidlong1786]

Oh dear just another troll that doesn't like info commenting on a channel they don't even care about.

[@lewstone5430]

David Long calm down. The lady can express her opinion.

[@KT_-tj3nq]

ive been wishing for something like this for 3 years

[@JackycClark]

You don't mess with Mother Nature . Will people never learn ?

[@davidlong1786]

Are vaccines messing with Mother Nature? How about going to a doctor? Maybe we should just accept our illness and die like good robots.

[@michaelflaherty3202]

Of course you do. You build houses and have medicine etc.

[@MorpheusRage]

@@michaelflaherty3202 do you honestly deny that there will be serious irreversible consequences to killing the food source to countless bugs and birds already suffering habitat destruction and chemical contamination? The planet cannot survive without the animals and plants that make it up. Ignorance is death.

[@MorpheusRage]

@@davidlong1786 are you using science to ignore actual scientific inquiry? Do you know how many species of bugs and birds will be affected by killing mosquitoes? Do you think it doesn't matter just because humans have already made changes to our own lives? That's ridiculously ignorant.

[@gusgus8134]

Spay and neuter!!!

[@SandyWolf-]

When I see the machine making mosquitoes all I could think of is why isnt this place making micro chips as well

[@davidlong1786]

Maybe because they aren't the same thing? Duh.

[@SandyWolf-]

@@davidlong1786 do you know anything about how micro chips are made? The facility has to be so clean cause a spec of dirt can harm the chip! this place was that clean and totally automated just like a micro chip facility! Comparing similarities🤦‍♀️ Not to mention the US has started fatalities to make then due to the shortage Since they are not using this place anymore why not???

[@SandyWolf-]

@@davidlong1786 oh and take your DUH and shove it!!!

[@jackminh2002]

Did you mean the tiny “nano cells machine ” that most comic, mangas talking about nowadays that can read your thoughts?

[@davidlong1786]

@@SandyWolf- Uhhhhhh I would think there's a bit more to making micro chips then just using the available equipment. You don't just turn it on and it magically appears.

[@Danster82]

Great work.

[@jaytoro6102]

We should first test how that would affect bat offspring mortality before releasing that out into the wild. Bats will eat most of those mosquitoes; does the bacteria accumulate as they eat them all night? What about considering other endangered animals or insects that would eat mosquitoes that had been given the bacteria that makes them sterile?

[@DavidPogue]

Great question! In this case, we're talking about one species--aedes aegypti--which is an invasive species that WE brought to America (aboard container ships, for example). So this project is simply removing an invasive species that didn't belong here in the first place. Won't affect any other creatures.

[@spilliving6077]

Evil mosquito supporter/lover!!!!!

[@caruniv3287]

We have these in San Diego now and they are very aggressive. They love to bite you in the ankles.

[@canovwrms2684]

Interesting idea.

[@d3olinsky]

isn't this genetic engineering? why does he say it's achieved "without genetic engineering"?

[@CathyS_Bx]

They used "harmless natural bacteria"; they did not manipulate the genes of the mosquitos.

[@MrVinny873]

Well… no genes were modified.. hence no genetic manipulation.

[@DavidPogue]

@@CathyS_Bx Exactly right. The bacteria is called Wolbachia...it occurs naturally in 60% of all insects on earth...but just NOT in this mosquito species. And if the boy carries Wolbachia and the girl doesn't... eggs never hatch!

[@kneefreedom817]

Only one I knows is blood ones

[@peacenow4456]

Hope this works, it should...

[@lewstone5430]

Thankfully I live in Albuquerque and I didn’t see a mosquito this summer (although they were around). Contrast that with my upbringing in South Carolina where there are swarms.

[@MorpheusRage]

As if the world could survive without mosquitoes

[@clqudy4750]

Anyone see the robot part of the tour and think: The Matrix? Wonder how long before AI does this to us?! Lol

[@thetweatles8176]

Sounds kinda like the vaccine 😳

[@christinacascadilla4473]

Actually, that’s a good idea. Make a vaccine mosquito that will bite and vaccinate all the idiots who won’t get the shot.

[@trevojreal7]

Quit living in fear

[@heatherhansen2169]

why can't they figure out how to do this for human males?

[@bentheg9793]

Not just males, males AND females

[@fe7jw]

I hate mosquito. But please please please find a way to get rid of cockroaches.

[@Face_Meat]

@4:12 Peek a boo!

[@michaelermcgowaniv]

Very 21st century.

[@kuro_INTJ]

When Males got rejected then turns into Sigma

[@ganon01ryanoutsen92]

Oh no these vampires

[@edwardmcfail1225]

As it was in the days of Noah. Research Matthew 24 and Genesis 6.

[@MrMatteNWk]

And you remember... Matthew... 21:17.

[@adamunknown]

QUIT PLAYING GOD FFS !!!!!!

[@SandyWolf-]

This has to do wth over population and new diseases that spread through mosquitoes quit genius! That's why God gave us a brain, to use it!!

[@MrVinny873]

@@SandyWolf- well… obviously not everyone uses what god gave them….

[@SandyWolf-]

@@MrVinny873 You got me there 😂😂

[@davidlong1786]

Well I sure hope you don't swat any mosquitoes that bite you since that would be "playing God" according to your statement. Also going to a doctor or even stepping on ants or microbes accidentally is "playing God". You're in big trouble Bubba.