Scientific Study Finds "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites" by Skrillex Stops Mosquitos from Having Sex

Researchers concluded that the observations from this study can be used to help develop new ways to prevent mosquito-carried diseases.

A study recently published in the journal Acta Tropica on mosquito feeding and breeding habits found that the insects are less likely to eat or reproduce when the song "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites" by Skrillex is playing. The specific type of mosquito researched was the Aedes aegypti, also called the yellow fever mosquito, known to carry a multitude of diseases.

Before detailing the experiment, researchers noted that it is known that electronic music - and more specifically, Skrillex's breakout single's low-frequency vibrations - disrupt mating habits in insects. They found that the noise makes it harder for them to receive signals from hosts.

For the experiment, researchers created a "music-on" and "music-off" environment in which they studied the Aedes aegypti and came to some conclusions.

Mosquitos in the music-on environment were less likely to feed on the provided host and were less likely to reproduce than mosquitos in the music-off environment. Researchers believe that these findings can be used to help develop more ways to control Aedes-carried diseases.

The abstract of the full study is available here.