4 ms·

I've always wondered why there aren't lasers which can shoot down mosquitoes on its own.

• jws 8y ago
  There is a company working on it… https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosquito_laser https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosquito_laser The current plan is a ‘fence’ which will detect, identify, and kill 50 mosquitos per second. It can be tuned to only kill female mosquitos of the malaria carrying species measuring reflectivity and wing beat frequency. They speculate it could cost $50 for a 30 meter fence. Looks like the company is targeting citrus pests in order to get some cash moving, mosquitos will come later now. https://www.technologyreview.com/s/603721/insect-zapping-laser-fence-prepares-for-first-enemy-contact/ https://www.technologyreview.com/s/603721/insect-zapping-las... Their commercial site: https://photonicsentry.com/ https://photonicsentry.com/
  • SlowRobotAhead 8y ago
    Why on earth would you target only female mosquitos!? The males are rare and required to make more females. Seems like you would want to blast away with indifference. Yes, I am aware the females bite. Males are much more rare, is the goal individual death or is it population control?
    • ForHackernews 8y ago
      I believe only female mosquitoes bite humans. http://www.cmcd.org/biology-2/mosquito-myths-facts/ http://www.cmcd.org/biology-2/mosquito-myths-facts/
    • mitchty 8y ago
      Because females are the ones that bite and transmit malaria. https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/biology/mosquitoes/index.html https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/biology/mosquitoes/index.h... Killing the males is pointless if your goal is preventing disease.