Mosquito-specific phagostimulants and pheromones for environment-friendly mosquito vector control

Project Information

SemioMVC

Grant agreement ID: 190187847

DOI

10.3030/190187847

Project closed

EC signature date 24 November 2023

Start date 1 December 2023

End date 31 May 2026

Funded under

• The European Innovation Council (EIC)

Total cost

€ 4 171 988,75

EU contribution

€ 2 500 000,00

Coordinated by

MOLECULAR ATTRACTION AB
Sweden

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SemioMVC (Mosquito-specific phagostimulants and pheromones for environment-friendly mosquito vector control)

Reporting period: 2023-12-01 to 2024-11-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The SemioMVC project addresses the critical rise in mosquito-borne diseases, exacerbated by insecticide resistance and bans on toxic chemicals. By 2050, an additional 1B people may be at risk due to expanding mosquito habitats. Molecular Attraction AB pioneers eco-friendly mosquito control using semiochemicals like pheromones and phagostimulants. These innovative compounds modify mosquito behavior with minimal chemical use.

The project aims to conduct large-scale trials in sub-Saharan Africa to assess the efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact of these solutions. Expected outcomes include scalable, green alternatives to traditional insecticides, reduced disease transmission, and alignment with EU sustainability goals and SDGs 3 (Health) and 13 (Climate Action).

Social sciences shape the project by addressing community acceptance, cultural factors, and socio-economic impacts. Results will inform global MVC strategies, improving public health while mitigating environmental harm and providing cost-efficient solutions for the $8B MVC market.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

At the halfway point of the SemioMVC project, significant technical and scientific milestones have been achieved. The development and successful testing of active feeders containing HMBPP have been completed, demonstrating their efficacy in controlled environments. Additionally, field trials for sex pheromones have been successfully conducted, validating their potential for real-world mosquito vector control applications. These outcomes mark critical progress toward achieving the project’s objectives of eco-friendly and effective mosquito control solutions.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The SemioMVC project achieved groundbreaking results as the first mosquito-specific sex pheromone product with successful field trial results. This marks a major milestone in eco-friendly mosquito vector control. Additionally, active feeders containing HMBPP were validated for efficacy, demonstrating potential for large-scale applications.