sterileinsect

A sterile insect is an individual of an insect species rendered infertile, typically for use in population suppression programs. The most widely deployed approach is the sterile insect technique (SIT), in which large numbers of the target species are mass-reared in captivity, sterilized (usually by irradiation), and released into the wild to mate with fertile individuals. Mating with sterile partners produces no viable offspring, gradually reducing the population over time.

In SIT programs, released insects must compete with wild individuals for mates. Therefore, sterilization is performed to balance achieving high sterility with preserving natural behavior and fitness. For many agricultural pests, releases focus on sterile males to avoid crop damage from oviposition by females. SIT is often integrated with other control methods as part of an IPM strategy, including traps, pheromones, and habitat management.

The technique has a notable history, with early successes against pests such as the New World screwworm fly and various fruit flies. It has been applied to a range of noctuid moths and other agricultural pests and has been explored as a tool for controlling disease vectors, including tsetse flies and certain mosquito species, in pilot programs and trials.

Limitations of SIT include the need for specialized facilities, extensive quality control, and sustained releases to achieve suppression. The cost, logistics of releasing large numbers, and the potential reduction in insect fitness at higher radiation doses are considerations. SIT is typically most effective as part of an integrated pest management program and is complemented by emerging genetic and microbial control approaches.