Sterile insect
- Pronunciation
- /STEER-il IN-sekt/
- Category
- Pest Management
- Singular
- Sterile insect
- Plural
- Sterile insects
Definition
An insect that has been rendered incapable of reproduction, typically through irradiation or other sterilization techniques.
Etymology
From the Latin 'sterilis', meaning 'barren or unfruitful', and 'insectum', meaning 'cut into' or 'segmented'.
Example
The sterile insect technique is used to control populations of pests such as mosquitoes and fruit flies.
Related Terms
- Sterilization
- Insect control
- SIRM
- SIT
Usage Notes
Sterile insects are often released in large numbers to outcompete fertile individuals, thereby reducing the overall pest population.