A Novel Approach to Preventing Insect-Borne Diseases

Insects and humans have lived together successfully for many years — the oldest insect fossil is probably more than 390 million years old. Insects have evolved into approximately a million named species that occupy an important place in the world's ecosystem. They also carry microbes and parasites that affect humans (Chagas' disease, Lyme disease, malaria, bubonic plague, and dengue) and other animals and damage food crops (locusts), cotton (boll weevils), trees (gypsy moths), and homes (termites). The total economic cost of insect-related damage and illness is immeasurable but is probably many billions of dollars annually worldwide. To control insects and . . .