According to information published by the UN News Service, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) together with the Austrian city of Graz presented the first results of an experiment aimed at sterilizing male mosquitoes.
The methodology used could become the basis for a new strategy to combat pests. It involves mass breeding and sterilization of insects using radiation, providing a safe solution to the problem.
The Aedes albopictus mosquito, also known as the "tiger mosquito," was first recorded in Austria in 2012 and has since spread across all federal states of the country. In recent years, Graz has seen particularly high numbers of these insects. In response to the increasing number of complaints and the growing risk of arbovirus spread in Europe, the city authorities turned to the IAEA, headquartered in Vienna, requesting to initiate a study on the MRR method.
- The MRR method involves the release and recapture of a specific number of marked sterile males, which will be coated with colored powder, in a designated area to analyze the behavior of the local population.
In August and September 2025, over 800,000 sterile mosquitoes were released over an area of 15 hectares in garden plots in southern Graz. These males were treated with radiation, meaning that when mating with wild females, their offspring will not survive.
According to data, mosquito populations, including invasive species such as Aedes albopictus, are rapidly increasing worldwide and in Europe, which is linked to climate change, urbanization, and the growth of international trade. Warmer weather and changing precipitation levels create ideal breeding conditions, allowing species previously confined to the tropics to establish themselves in temperate latitudes. This expansion of habitat poses serious public health challenges, as mosquitoes are carriers of dangerous diseases, including chikungunya, dengue, and Zika virus.
“Initial results of the research work showed high effectiveness of the method. The sterility rate of the eggs was about 70 percent, and the number of females caught in traps significantly decreased during the analysis compared to neighboring untreated areas. This indicates that sterile males are successfully competing with wild ones, and their release could significantly reduce mosquito populations in densely populated cities,” the statement noted.
Based on the data obtained, Graz and the IAEA are working on recommendations for the next mosquito breeding season in 2026.
