A female mosquito mates only once in her life, and this single event determines her fertility and the growth of mosquito populations—key factors in the spread of diseases like malaria and dengue. This mating also impacts the success of control strategies such as gene drive and sterile insect technique, which rely on genetically-modified males mating with wild females. However, much about mosquito mating remains unknown, including how males form and maintain swarms, how females choose mates, and how species-specific mating is ensured. Understanding these aspects is crucial for the effective deployment of new vector control methods.

This project dives into the secret world of mosquito mating, exploring how male Anopheles gambiae behave in swarms, how both sexes move in flight before mating, and how mosquito hearing might play a surprising role in their romantic success.