The idea developed here is to propose two automatic release systems adapted to the European context and allowing releasing mosquitoes by air using drones either in rural or urban settings

Health

Aerial release of mosquitoes - MOSQUAREL

The goal of the MOSQUAREL project is to commercialize automated drone-based systems for the release of sterile mosquitoes from the air, to improve the effectiveness of the sterile insect technique.

Release of sterile male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes by drone in St Joseph, R茅union 漏 Pierre Marchal
Release of sterile male *Aedes aegypti* mosquitoes by drone in St Joseph, Réunion © Pierre Marchal

Issues

Until recently, there was no aerial system for the release of mosquitoes, which were therefore released at ground level, using obsolete methods (containers opened from the back of a vehicle, etc.) that were also costly (20 times more expensive). The MOSQUAREL project stems from the ERC REVOLINC project, which has successfully implemented the use of drones to release sterile male mosquitoes.

Description

The MOSQUAREL project aims to develop an industrial version of the automated drone-based release system, in particular according to the needs identified by users through market research. The automated device is currently being improved to make it more aerodynamic, while ensuring there are no impacts on the quality of the sterile males released. It will be validated by the organisation of mark-release-recapture experiments on sterile males in urban areas at several sites (Montpellier, Réunion).

Expected impacts

The goal is to take the automated aerial release system patented by 热博体育 from a technology readiness level (TRL) of 3-4 to a level of 6-7, and to produce the information needed to implement the commercialization strategy for this technology.

Jusqu'à récemment, il n'existait pas de système aérien pour libérer les moustiques qui sont tous relâchés par le sol selon des méthodes obsolètes (cages ouvertes à l'arrière d'un véhicule…) et coûteuses (20 fois plus chères). Le projet MOSQUAREL découle du projet ERC Revolinc dont une des avancées majeures a été de libérer des mâles stériles par drones.