US: Google seeks EPA approval to release 32 million mosquitoes in California and Florida.

SHOTLIST: UNITED STATES (JUNE 4, 2026) 1. MOTION GRAPHICS SHOWING US MAP, DIFFERENCES OF BAD BUG AND GOOD BUG, ESTIMATED AEDES AEGYPTI DISTRIBUTION AND REGIONS AT HIGH RISK OF DENGUE FEVER AROUND WORLDUNITED STATES - JUNE 4, 2026: Google is seeking approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to release 32 million male mosquitoes in California and Florida over two years as part of a mosquito-control trial aimed at reducing disease-carrying insect populations. A Federal Register notice published by the EPA said Google LLC requested an experimental use permit for Wolbachia-containing live adult male Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes. The proposal outlines releases of up to 16 million male mosquitoes per year in Florida and up to 16 million per year in California. The EPA stated the application may be of regional and national significance and has opened the request for public comment until June 5, 2026. The proposal is part of Debug, a Google initiative focused on controlling mosquito populations without chemicals, genetically modified organisms, or methods considered harmful to the environment. In a blog post, Debug said it has expanded its research and mosquito production capabilities in Singapore, establishing its first international research and development hub and its largest adult mosquito production facility in the Asia-Pacific region. Debug said it has supported Singapore’s Project Wolbachia since 2018, releasing more than 10 million male Wolbachia mosquitoes weekly to suppress Aedes aegypti populations and reduce dengue risks. According to the company, trials in Singapore achieved an 80% to 90% suppression of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and a greater than 70% reduction in dengue cases after six to 12 months of releases. The company said its expanded Singapore operations will utilize AI-based mosquito sex-sorting, robotic rearing systems, and GPS-enabled automated release technology to scale mosquito-control programs. Writing by Baris Utangac