Sterile Insect Technique (SIT/SIR)

What is Sterile Insect Technique? Sterile Insect Technique or SIT is a technique used to control or eliminate an insect population? This is achieved through reproductive mate attrition. Generally, the male insect is exposed to radiation and thereby rendered sexually sterile. By mass rearing male insects, sterilizing them, and then releasing them into the desired area the treated males will seek out and mate with the native female insects and their offspring is non-viable. If this process is repeated enough times the insect population can be controlled and or even eliminated. Are Irradiated Insects Radioactive? No, insects that have been sterilized using radiation are not radioactive.