AI mosquito trap targets deadly dengue outbreak

Florida is combatting its largest dengue fever outbreak in decades, with over 524 locally acquired cases reported through October 31. Hillsborough County has been particularly hard hit, recording 407 cases, the county's largest outbreak on record. The outbreak has prompted county officials to extend a state of local emergency through November 19 as mosquito control crews increase aerial and ground treatments.

Dengue fever, which can cause high fever, severe headaches and intense muscle pain, is transmitted through mosquito bites. While cooler weather has reduced mosquito activity in most parts of the country, Florida's warmer climate allows mosquitoes to remain active year-round, making the state particularly vulnerable to disease outbreaks.

New technology offers faster detection

Researchers at the University of South Florida have developed an AI-powered mosquito trap that could help health officials identify dangerous mosquito species much faster than traditional methods. The trap, developed by startup Digitomy, uses built-in cameras and artificial intelligence to identify mosquito species with more than 98% accuracy in laboratory testing.

How the AI trap works

The Digitomy trap can be hung from a tree branch or placed on the ground. A light or bait attracts mosquitoes, and a small fan pulls them inside. Once insects land on a sticky pad, two built-in cameras photograph them. The AI then compares these images against a large database to determine the mosquito species.

The technology can also identify whether a mosquito is male or female and whether it has recently fed on blood—valuable information since only female mosquitoes bite and can transmit diseases. Traditional mosquito surveillance typically takes two to three days as specialists examine captured insects under a microscope.

Potential for early warning systems

Digitomy's system aims to identify captured mosquito species the same day they're caught, allowing mosquito control teams to see where potentially dangerous species are appearing. The information can be sent to a mapping dashboard, helping officials concentrate their efforts in areas where disease-carrying mosquitoes are detected.

The researchers have integrated trap information into their Global Mosquito Observations Dashboard, which includes more than half a million citizen science reports. This combined data could give public health departments a clearer view of mosquito activity across communities, particularly in areas with limited mosquito control resources.

Path to commercial availability

Digitomy has tested its technology at the University of South Florida and worked with the Anastasia Mosquito Control District in St. Johns County. The startup is preparing for field validation with Hillsborough County, where Florida's dengue outbreak has been especially severe.

The company is working with USF's Technology Transfer office to license its AI identification system to established mosquito trap manufacturers. Digitomy received a $25,000 grant from the USF Research Foundation's Bull Ring Accelerator during summer 2026 to help accelerate commercialization. While no consumer launch date or price has been announced, the team is also developing an online education platform for mosquito control professionals and the public.