Scientists combat disease by studying mosquito wing beats

Turns out that annoying buzzing sound that precedes a mosquito strike is some form of love song. Cornell University researchers have established that mosquitoes that are prone to spreading yellow and dengue fever alter their wing beating patterns while mating.

Scientists feel they can use this finding to their advantage to eradicate the disease carriers. The plan is to release sterile males to court the females. Female mosquitoes tend not to mate beyond their first partner. So a primary interaction with a sterile partner will reduce probability of offsprings and the disease bearers will eventually die out.

For now scientists are focusing on studying the beating patterns. Males generally beat twice as frequently as females and both start beating faster when mating occurs. So next time you hear that annoying buzzing, remember that there's a lot more to it than mere buzz.