Polarized Light Guides Cholera-carrying Midges That Contaminate Water Supplies
Tuesday, November 11, 2008 - 10:01
in Biology & Nature
Midges harbor the lethal Vibrio cholerae bacteria that spreads cholera, contaminating water supplies with the infection when they lay their eggs. What guides the midges to select particular watercourses when laying their eggs? Scientists have found that the midges are attracted by polarized light reflections from water and suggest that polarized light could be used to control cholera transmission and reduce midge numbers.