'Wolbachia method' is sometimes talked about with reference to which one of the following?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (a) Controlling the viral diseases spread by mosquitoes
The Wolbachia method is used to control viral diseases spread by mosquitoes, mainly dengue. Wolbachia is a bacterium that lives naturally in many insects; when it is introduced into Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, they transmit dengue virus much less.
- ✓ (a) Wolbachia has been transferred into Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and reduces their transmission of dengue virus. WHO's Vector Control Advisory Group has assessed the approach and confirmed its public health value for dengue control.
- ✗ (b) Turning crop residue into packing material is a materials process and has nothing to do with a bacterium living inside insects.
- ✗ (d) Biochar comes from heating biomass in a thermochemical process such as pyrolysis. It is not a mosquito-control method.
Remember · Wolbachia is an insect-dwelling bacterium. Released in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, it cuts dengue transmission, so it is a mosquito-borne disease control method.
Sources
- Call for public consultation: Target Product Profiles for Wolbachia infected Aedes aegypti population replacement intervention (World Health Organization) ↗ “Wolbachia, a symbiotic bacterium that occurs naturally in many insects, has been successfully transferred into the Aedes aegypti mosquito and has been found to reduce the transmission of the dengue virus.”
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper I (2023, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·