UPSC Prelims 2023 question on Wolbachia Method

Wolbachia are natural bacteria present in up to 60% of insect species, including some mosquitoes. However, Wolbachia is not usually found in the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the primary species responsible for transmitting human viruses such as Zika, dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever.

Research has shown that when introduced into the Aedes aegypti mosquito, Wolbachia can help to reduce the transmission of these viruses to people. Scientists introduced Wolbachia into Ae. aegypti mosquito eggs.

When male Ae. aegypti mosquitoes with Wolbachia mate with wild female mosquitoes that do not have Wolbachia, the eggs will not hatch.

Wolbachia bacteria cannot make people or animals (for example, fish, birds, pets) sick.

Hence option (a) — Controlling the viral diseases spread by mosquitoes — is the correct answer.