Army Researchers Grow Mosquitoes to Fight Bug-Borne Illnesses
In a small room at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) in Silver Spring, Washington, thousands of mosquitoes are bred each week for scientific research purposes. The temperature in this room is maintained at a warm 82 degrees Fahrenheit, with high humidity, creating an ideal environment for mosquito growth.
The importance of mosquitoes in military operations cannot be overstated. Every soldier who gets infected by a bug-borne illness like malaria, Zika, or viral encephalitis is rendered unable to serve in battle. Therefore, the work done at WRAIR’s insectary is crucial for developing insect repellents and vaccines to combat these diseases.
According to Lt. Col. Elizabeth Wanja, director of WRAIR’s entomology branch, their mission is to “maintain the fighting force” by understanding how mosquitoes spread diseases and finding ways to prevent and treat them. Currently, WRAIR rears six different mosquito species, including Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, and three types of Anopheles and Culex.
Inside the insectary, mosquito eggs are hatched into larvae, which are then fed fish food and transferred to pupae containers. When the pupae reach the mosquito stage, researchers separate the females from the males by using a heat source, as female mosquitoes are more attracted to heat to find a blood meal for egg-laying.
To feed the mosquitoes, donated human blood is placed in a cup sealed with a membrane. When the membrane is pressed against the mesh screen, the mosquitoes gather to start drinking. This method allows researchers to test vaccines on these infected mosquitoes.
Tobin Rowland, the chief of the insectary, fell in love with his work after being initially assigned to it as an Army medical laboratory technician. Similarly, Wanja’s interest in insects grew from her childhood experiences in Kenya. She was motivated to join the fight against terrorism after some of her relatives were killed in the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombing in Nairobi.
The insectary has been instrumental in combating mosquito-borne diseases. In addition to mosquitoes, it also houses sand flies, which are known for transmitting diseases like leishmaniasis and sand fly fever through their unique feeding mechanism. However, a new threat looms on the horizon as ticks are becoming a major issue, with unknown pathogens being discovered in these pests. As a result, the insectary will soon begin studying ticks as they pose a potential threat in the future.
Despite the importance of their work, Wanja and Rowland highlight that many people fail to fully comprehend the significant threats that insects pose. With global warming expanding tropical disease territories, it is crucial to understand and develop effective strategies to combat these pests.
The Washington-based insectary at WRAIR plays a crucial role in the fight against bug-borne illnesses, ensuring that soldiers are protected and ready to face potential adversaries on the battlefield.