Drivers of mosquito mating

Male success in mating swarms is relevant to the most technologically advanced and promising interventions to reduce the burden of mosquito-borne diseases—such as those built on gene drive systems (6). Gene drive systems are based on the release of organisms whose genomes have been modified or engineered to spread a desired allele or trait (such as resistance to the parasites that cause malaria) through a population. Success will depend on the release of genetically modified males that will be able to mate with wild females. Beyond gene drive strategies, in mosquitoes it is understood that only males can be released as part of any genetic pest control (GPC) program (7); females feed on blood to lay eggs, and releasing insects that will feed on humans is widely unacceptable.

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Clock genes and environmental cues coordinate Anopheles pheromone synthesis, swarming, and mating

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