New genome sequence to provide insight into tiger mosquito and how deadly diseases are transmitted to humans

Pathogens and Global Health journal has just published details of the first draft genome sequence of Aedes albopictus, commonly known as the tiger mosquito and responsible for transmitting several deadly diseases to humans, such as dengue and chikungunya, potentially offering hope to millions around the world.

"This sequencing… offers great hope to our understanding of the mosquito and our ability to control it, potentially saving millions of lives in many areas of the world," -- Professor Andrea Crisanti, Editor-in-Chief of Pathogens and Global Health.

Big data battles small insect: Terabytes of mosquito pictures help enhance mosquito netting

Researchers at the University of Warwick's School of Engineering are using imaging technologies, that are normally applied to automotive engines and sprays, to image thousands of mosquitoes to help develop better netting and physical protection against the malaria spreading insect.

The University of Warwick engineers, David Towers, Natalia Angarita and Catherine Towers, are helping entomologist colleagues at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Philip McCall and Josie Parker, explore the best insecticide treatment and physical design of the protection for sleeping people in areas where mosquitoes are a problem.

In observing how mosquitoes engage with insecticide treated barriers such as netting, researchers have in the past mainly relied on recording just the final landing location, which does not give a full picture of how they approach and handle the protective barriers.