CEO / Professor MosquitoMate, Inc., Kentucky, United States
Abstract: Wolbachia-based Incompatible Insect Technique (IIT) offers a non-insecticidal, species-specific approach to suppressing Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. By releasing male mosquitoes that carry Wolbachia and cannot produce viable offspring when mating with wild females, IIT can reduce mosquito populations and complement integrated mosquito management. This presentation traces MosquitoMate’s progression from regulatory milestones to operational deployment, focusing on the 2025 rollout in California and Florida, along with the roadmap for further expansion. We will outline practical elements of adding IIT to a typical abatement program: for those simply wanting additional control tools and to those wanting to extend prior scientific studies. What are the logistics of a typical week in which IIT males are released? Can IIT be overlayed onto existing conventional control and monitoring? This presentation will highlight recent work with multiple Mosquito Control Districts, sharing lessons from prior operational activities. The presentation will address the question: For 2026, how can Wolbachia IIT slot into existing control portfolios to reduce Aedes-borne risk while maintaining public acceptance?
