Project Details
Project Description
Development and field testing of ground and aerial release mechanisms: we are set to develop
new technologies aimed at facilitating cost-effective, large-scale releases of adult mosquitoes generated
within portable adult mosquito production units. The Ground Release Mechanism (GRM) consists
of 800 mosquito doses, each containing 250 mosquitoes. The GRM boasts a robust, automotive-grade
design tailored for releasing mosquitoes from vehicles such as cars, motorcycles, scooters, tuk-tuks.
Each GRM is capable of covering a minimum of 2 km2 per day, allowing for up to 10 km2 to be covered
per week from a single mechanism. These mechanisms are intended to target release sites
spanning between 50 to 100 km2 from a single adult emergence facility. Modelling based on field trials
indicates that a GRM can reduce the Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) requirements for release by 3-5 times
compared to tube releases.
The Aerial Release Mechanism (ARM) will be loaded with chilled, immobilised mosquitoes in a 4°C
cool room. Subsequently, it will be sealed, removed from the cool room, transported to the helicopter,
and installed. The helicopter will then execute a predetermined flight plan over a release area. WMP
envisions that instead of daily ground-based releases, a helicopter mechanism can be loaded with 5
million chilled adult mosquitoes and execute a release sufficient to cover a 50 km2 area over densely
populated urban environments with a single weekly release event of a maximum 4h.
After evaluating and validating the new technology, both automated ground-based and aerial release
technologies will be tested in parallel within the large-scale demonstration projects and thereby providing
a direct comparison between these new mechanised release methods, and conventional groundbased
release. At the conclusion of the assessment period, WMP will identify the most promising and
cost-effective methods for deployment within a 10 km2 release area, subsequently monitoring the
establishment of Wolbachia. This comprehensive approach will enable WMP to develop a start-to-finish
strategy for the production and release of its product, facilitating worldwide deployment.
new technologies aimed at facilitating cost-effective, large-scale releases of adult mosquitoes generated
within portable adult mosquito production units. The Ground Release Mechanism (GRM) consists
of 800 mosquito doses, each containing 250 mosquitoes. The GRM boasts a robust, automotive-grade
design tailored for releasing mosquitoes from vehicles such as cars, motorcycles, scooters, tuk-tuks.
Each GRM is capable of covering a minimum of 2 km2 per day, allowing for up to 10 km2 to be covered
per week from a single mechanism. These mechanisms are intended to target release sites
spanning between 50 to 100 km2 from a single adult emergence facility. Modelling based on field trials
indicates that a GRM can reduce the Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) requirements for release by 3-5 times
compared to tube releases.
The Aerial Release Mechanism (ARM) will be loaded with chilled, immobilised mosquitoes in a 4°C
cool room. Subsequently, it will be sealed, removed from the cool room, transported to the helicopter,
and installed. The helicopter will then execute a predetermined flight plan over a release area. WMP
envisions that instead of daily ground-based releases, a helicopter mechanism can be loaded with 5
million chilled adult mosquitoes and execute a release sufficient to cover a 50 km2 area over densely
populated urban environments with a single weekly release event of a maximum 4h.
After evaluating and validating the new technology, both automated ground-based and aerial release
technologies will be tested in parallel within the large-scale demonstration projects and thereby providing
a direct comparison between these new mechanised release methods, and conventional groundbased
release. At the conclusion of the assessment period, WMP will identify the most promising and
cost-effective methods for deployment within a 10 km2 release area, subsequently monitoring the
establishment of Wolbachia. This comprehensive approach will enable WMP to develop a start-to-finish
strategy for the production and release of its product, facilitating worldwide deployment.
| Status | Active |
|---|---|
| Effective start/end date | 30/09/25 → 31/03/28 |