117 - Drone-based release of parceled, Wolbachia-infected Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes as part of IIT program to promote recovery of endangered Hawaiian forest birds.

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

10:45 AM - 10:55 AM PDT

Location: B119

Presenter(s)

Adam Knox

Aerial Deployment of Mosquitoes Project Manager
American Bird Conservancy, Hawaii, United States

Co-Author(s)

CF

Chris Farmer, Ph.D.

Hawaii Program Manager
American Bird Conservancy, Hawaii, United States
CS

Christa Seidl, Ph.D.

Mosquito Research & Control Coordinator
University of Hawaii, Hawaii, United States
CW

Chris Warren, n/a

Forest Bird Program Coordinator
National Park Service / Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii, United States
JF

Josh Fisher, n/a

Invasive Species Biologist
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/ Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, Hawaii, United States
PL

Peter Landon, n/a

Natural Area Reserve Manager
State of Hawaii / Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Hawaii, United States

Abstract: The Birds, Not Mosquitoes project is using the incompatible insect technique (IIT) in Hawai‘i to save critically endangered native forest birds from non-native mosquitoes and avian malaria. The project releases parceled, Wolbachia-infected Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes by aircraft to suppress wild Cx. quinquefasciatus populations in critical forest bird habitat. One of the project goals is to shift the aerial releases from helicopters to drones, in whole or in part, to reduce associated impacts and cost and provide increased deployment flexibility and capacity. This presentation will provide an overview of the methods and materials used for testing and demonstrating applicability of drones toward this purpose, and will also provide preliminary conclusions about the practicality of releasing Wolbachia-infected Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes via drones into the remote forested mountains of Maui.