Research recently found that female copulated mosquitoes are more likely to spread the parasites than the virgin ones.
The study is published in an open journal named PLOS dated 7th November. The research is by Farah Dahalan of Imperial College, London and by Mara Lawniczak from Wellcome Sanger Institute.
The conclusion after the study is that male mosquitoes should be targetted to be eliminated. This will not only decrease the population of mosquitoes but will also help to decrease the potential of female mosquitoes to spread malaria parasites.
Malaria is a disease that is caused due to parasites named Plasmodium falciparum. These parasites are transmitted to the human body through female mosquitoes that act as vectors.
It is reported that around 400,000 patients die due to Malaria. 200 million people are affected on an annual basis. Mosquitoes are becoming susceptible to different insecticides. Therefore, we can say that existing vector control has failed miserably. The resistance from all types of insecticide classes has evolved.
So, to stop the spreading of parasites getting into our body, we need to produce different techniques and plans. Strategies should involve targetting the vector’s metabolism, their reproduction cycle, etc.
Anopheles species of mosquito is responsible for the transfer of parasites in Africa (the place where the disease has reached a deadly scale). The female mosquitoes of these species have a high hormone level (hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone) of 20-E. The increase in the hormone level is due to copulation and feeding on human blood.
Researchers studied the P. falciparum species thoroughly. After completely studying, Farah Dahlan said that if hormone 20E of the male population enhances the compatibility of the female population then we should target the males first. Insecticides should be developed to focus on the removal of males as they are indirectly contributing to the malarial disease.