Revision as of 21:31, 26 October 2025

Basics

A Method of Pest Control for Insects wherein Sufficient Amounts of Sterile Insects are Introduced to the Area, Thus Wiping Out that Species in a Generation or so

Largely an Agricultural Issues, rather than Public Health
Still could be of use
Granted done at the Nationstate level, thus not TOO OSE-Relevant
[https://youtu.be/tdM1_lsYPAI?si=6IztBIR_OLQHrz7M A Video by the YouTube Channel "Farm to Taber" Titled "Screwworm Update: First USA Confirmed Case"
- Mentions the history of how it was managed via the SIT, and how holding it in Panama was cheaper due to less Production Facilities being required (less area to cover in sterile flies)
A Video by the YouTube Channel "SciShow" Titled "Why Planes Drop Millions of Flies on Panama Every Day"
- Mentions Gamma Ray Irradiation for the Sterilization + Covers Far More Data + Citations etc
A Video by the YouTube Channel "Half as Interesting" Titled "Why the US Drops 14.7 Million Worms On Panama Every Week" ( ~8 Minute Watch )

A Video by the YouTube Channel "Tom Scott" Titled "Why the government drops flies on California" ( ~6 Minute Watch )
- This video covers more of the "how" as well; digging for proper papers+protocols is still worthwhile though
- Need to see how much is species-specific etc, but there is Parts Commonality with other species as well as BSF Larvae production
  - The actual risk is debatable, but there is some Dual Use Potential, and thus probably regulatory requirements as well

Could this be used for Invasive Rodents?
New Zealand/Australia have been pursuing "Invasive Predator Free" Via more conventional methods, need to see if this was considered
May run higher risks of cancer + cruelty is a concern once you get to fellow complex animals and whatnot

Insect Farming Equipment/Know How
- High TRL (Existing Large Scale Operations + Small Scale BSF Larvae Farming
Insect Transport / Sterilization Equipment/Know How
- Lower TRL
- If using X-Ray Tubes or E-Beam it could be done, more conventional Gamma Sources are outside scope due to inherent risk+regulatory requirements/cost
- Specialized Containers/Dispensers, and Shielded Exposure areas would be needed as well
- Using Drones could reduce cost (albeit while also introducing more complexity in range/coverage + regulatory requirements), compared to Piloted Aircraft (with complex engines)
- Marking/Tracking of the Released Insects is easily done with UV Dye / Insect Pinning type stuff, conventional Biosecurity / Integrated Pest Management practices + outreach such as Agricultural Extension Offices etc
- Might be some parts commonality with BSF Larvae and Food Irradiation though so all in all this is a great tool worth pursuing

@@ Line 33: / Line 33: @@
 *New Zealand/Australia have been pursuing "Invasive Predator Free" Via more conventional methods, need to see if this was considered
 *May run higher risks of cancer + cruelty is a concern once you get to fellow complex animals and whatnot
+=Required Technology/Gear=
+*Insect Farming Equipment/Know How
+**High TRL (Existing Large Scale Operations + Small Scale [[BSF Larvae]] Farming
+*Insect Transport / Sterilization Equipment/Know How
+**Lower TRL
+**If using [[X-Ray Tubes]] or [[E-Beam]] it could be done, more conventional Gamma Sources are outside scope due to inherent risk+regulatory requirements/cost
+**Specialized Containers/Dispensers, and Shielded Exposure areas would be needed as well
+**Using [[Drones]] could reduce cost (albeit while also introducing more complexity in range/coverage + regulatory requirements), compared to Piloted Aircraft (with complex engines)
+**Marking/Tracking of the Released Insects is easily done with [[UV Dye]] / [[Insect Pinning]] type stuff, conventional [[Biosecurity]] / [[Integrated Pest Management]] practices + outreach such as Agricultural Extension Offices etc
+**Might be some parts commonality with [[BSF Larvae]] and [[Food Irradiation]] though so all in all this is a great tool worth pursuing
 =Internal Links=