How Is Gene Editing Used in Pest Control?

If Marvel made a movie about mosquitoes, the villain would be gene editing—and we’d be rooting for it.

Invasive pests cost the United States up to $21 billion per year in economic damages and healthcare costs, with bed bugs being among the costliest to eradicate. There are only a few insecticides registered for the control of many invasive pests, such as the yellow fever mosquitoes, which in turn has led to widespread insecticide resistance. Development of new control methods is warranted for the continued protection of our interests.

Let’s take a closer look at how gene editing is reshaping pest management.

CRISPR: Precision Gene Editing for Insect Control

CRISPR is a tool that cuts and tweaks DNA with extreme precision. Think of it like a pair of genetic scissors. In pest control, it’s used to:

  • Target genes that are essential for female fertility
  • Create insects that only produce male offspring
  • Remove pesticide-resistant genes

Only female mosquitoes bite and transmit diseases like malaria or dengue. By shifting the gender balance or preventing reproduction, scientists can quickly reduce pest populations.

But gene editing isn’t just for pests. The University of Florida’s Citrus Research and Education Center uses CRISPR technology to help citrus crops resist pests and diseases.

Gene Drives: Hacking Inheritance to Suppress Pests

While CRISPR is used to cut into genes, gene drives can override natural inheritance. Normally, a gene has a 50% chance of being passed down from each parent. Gene drives “hack” inheritance by forcing nearly 100% transmission of a modified gene. This can collapse entire pest populations in a matter of generations.

For example, a CRISPR-based gene drive in Terni, Italy wiped out caged mosquito populations in eight to 12 generations. While more testing is needed — especially to avoid unexpected effects on ecosystems — large-scale trials are underway in Burkina Faso, Mali and Ghana through projects like Target Malaria.

How Is Gene Editing Used in the Real World?

Scientists use gene editing to control pest populations by releasing modified insects and monitoring their effects on the environment. Before releasing any gene-edited insects, however, they carefully track pest numbers, weather and possible risks like insect resistance. After release, scientists monitor everything from insect reactions to mutations. Some gene-edited insects even glow under light so they’re easier to follow!

A few real-world examples:

  • Oxitec (a biotech company) has partnered with UF to edit mosquitoes with a self-limiting gene, so their offspring don’t survive to adulthood.
  • The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is targeting Drosophila suzukii, a fruit fly that ruins berry crops.
  • Pink bollworms—the bane of cotton farmers in the Southern U.S.—have been nearly wiped out with gene editing.

Who’s Involved in Insect Gene Editing?

These breakthroughs don’t happen in isolation. It’s only when researchers, industry partners and community stakeholders collaborate that they can safely develop, test and monitor gene-edited insects and crops. Key players include:

  • University labs
  • Biotech companies
  • Local pest control teams
  • Government regulators
  • Global teams like Target Malaria

Risks and Ethics: What Are the Concerns About Gene Manipulation?

Despite its promising potential for public health, gene manipulation raises some concerns. Regulators worry that edited species could jump to non-target species or mutate in unexpected ways. There’s also a risk of pests developing resistance, just like they do with pesticides. (Think monster bug-repelling-and-cage-resistant mosquitoes.)

And then there’s the moral minefield: Should we be editing life forms into extinction, even if they’re pests?

While these questions don’t have easy answers, they highlight the importance of open discussion and debate as gene editing technology advances.

What We’ve Learned (and What’s Next)

To wrap up, let’s quickly review what we’ve learned about gene editing and pest control:

  • CRISPR and gene drives are transforming insect pest control.
  • Real-world projects are targeting mosquitoes, fruit flies and crop pests.
  • Ethical and environmental concerns remain under global review.
  • New methods like self-limiting gene drives are being developed to minimize risk.

Science Meets Impact With an Entomology Degree from UF

If you’re fascinated by gene-hacking mosquitoes or outsmarting invasive pests, you’re in the right place. As gene editing reshapes how we manage insects — both in public health and agriculture — entomologists are more essential than ever.

The University of Florida offers 100% online, research-driven programs in entomology where you can choose from four career-focused tracks:

  • Medical Entomology: Focus on mosquitoes, ticks and disease transmission.
  • Urban Pest Management: Fight pests in homes and buildings.
  • Landscape Pest Management: Protect green spaces, turf and ornamentals.
  • Beekeeping: Master honeybee biology and pollinator protection.

Courses include virtual labs, flexible pacing and access to facilities like the Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory (FMEL)—a global hub for vector-borne disease research.

UF’s top-ranked programs help you turn your passion into purpose, whether you’re already knee-deep in your career or testing the waters.

Curious? Learn more here.

Sources:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095311922002763

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