Sterile insect technique
Sterile Insect Technique
The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is a method of biological insect control, whereby overwhelming numbers of sterile insects are released into the wild. The released insects are preferably male, as this is more cost-effective and the females may in some situations cause damage by laying eggs in crops or spreading disease. Pronunciation: /ˈstɛrɪl ˈɪnsɛkt tɛkˈniːk/
Etymology
The term "Sterile Insect Technique" is derived from the English words "sterile" (meaning unable to produce offspring), "insect" (a small arthropod animal that has six legs and generally one or two pairs of wings), and "technique" (a way of carrying out a particular task).
Method
The process involves rearing large numbers of the target species in special rearing facilities, sterilizing them, usually with radiation, and releasing them to mate with wild individuals. The resulting offspring are infertile, leading to a reduction in the population of the pest species over time.
Related Terms
- Biological control: The use of living organisms, such as predators, parasites, pathogens, and competitors, to control pest insects, weeds, or diseases.
- Insect: A small arthropod animal that has six legs and generally one or two pairs of wings.
- Sterilization (microbiology): Any process that eliminates, removes, kills, or deactivates all forms of life and other biological agents.
- Radiation: The emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or as moving subatomic particles, especially high-energy particles that cause ionization.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Sterile insect technique
- Wikipedia's article - Sterile insect technique
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