Google Plans Release of 32 Million Mosquitoes

Google plans to release up to 32 million sterilised mosquitoes in the United States to help curb the spread of diseases carried by the insects.

According to The Guardian, the company has applied to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for permission to carry out the project over two years in California and Florida. A decision is expected after a public consultation period ends on 5 June.

The programme, known as the Debug Project, uses male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which neither bite humans nor transmit disease. The insects are infected with the bacterium Wolbachia, causing eggs produced after mating with wild females to fail to hatch. Over time, this reduces mosquito populations without the need for large-scale pesticide use.

Google says conventional mosquito-control methods have limited effectiveness and can harm the environment. The company uses artificial intelligence, computer vision and automated systems to breed and sort mosquitoes, allowing it to distinguish males from females and release them in targeted areas.

Google cites Singapore as a successful example. Local authorities there say Aedes aegypti populations fell by 80% to 90%, while dengue cases declined by more than 70%.

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