Why are scientists dropping mosquitoes from drones in Hawaii?
Times of India - ScienceMonday, June 23, 2025 at 11:30:00 AM
Hawaii's unique native birds, like the colorful honeycreepers, are on the brink of extinction thanks to mosquito-borne diseases such as avian malaria. Mosquitoes, which weren’t even in Hawaii until the 20th century, are now thriving due to climate change, creeping into higher elevations where birds once found refuge. In a high-stakes bid to save these species, scientists are trying something unexpected: deploying drones to drop specially treated mosquitoes into remote areas. The goal? To disrupt the disease cycle and buy time for these irreplaceable birds.
Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about bugs and birds—it’s a race against time to save an entire ecosystem. Hawaii’s birds are part of the islands’ cultural and ecological identity, and losing them would be devastating. The drone strategy sounds sci-fi, but it reflects how desperate conservationists are getting as climate change tightens its grip. If it works, it could offer a blueprint for other fragile ecosystems under siege. If it fails? Well, that’s not an option Hawaii can afford.
— Curated via WP Now’s
