Receipt of application published on 26. March 2025
B25001 Application for authorisation to conduct an experimental release of sterilised males of the alien tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus)
Publication in the Federal Law Gazette (BBI):
Applicant: Università professionale della Svizzera italiana (SUPSI)
Description and origin of the organism:
- The tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is an invasive alien organism, native to Southeast Asia, which has been established in Ticino for around 20 years. It has also been spreading to other regions of Switzerland in recent years.
- Tiger mosquitoes can transmit pathogens such as the Zika, Chikungunya and dengue viruses;
- The sterilised tiger mosquito males to be used in the trial were obtained from a rearing of individuals collected in Ticino in 2019 and 2020.
Content and purpose of experiment:
- The trial is part of an international project to investigate the effectiveness of the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) in controlling tiger mosquito populations and thereby reducing disease transmission;
- The field study will be conducted during the active mosquito season from May to October for three consecutive years between 2025 and 2029. The research will be conducted at 21 sites in the four districts of the Canton of Ticino (Mendrisio, Lugano, Bellinzona and Locarno) with the highest densities of Ae. albopictus.
- The male mosquitoes to be released do not bite, do not produce any offspring and will die after about two weeks;
Location of experiment:
Agno, Ascona, Balerna, Bellinzona, Castel San Pietro, Chiasso, Coldrerio, Locarno, Losone, Lugano, Melide, Mendrisio, Muzzano, Paradiso, Riva San Vitale, Tenero-Contra (all in Ticino).
Duration of experiment: Three consecutive years between 2025 and 2029
Licensing procedure:
The procedure is based on Articles 17 et seq. and 21 et seq. of the Ordinance on the Handling of Organisms in the Environment (Release Ordinance, RO) of 10 September 2008 (SR 814.911).
Decision:
Last modification 26.03.2025
