USF researchers' new AI-powered mosquito trap could help curb dengue outbreaks

TAMPA, Fla. (Oct. 26, 2026) -- As Florida continues to face one of its worst dengue outbreaks in nearly a century, an innovative mosquito trap created by USF startup Digitomy is helping curb the spread of the virus and other mosquito-borne diseases. The smart trap contains patented AI technology and has achieved more than 98% accuracy in identifying mosquito species during laboratory testing.

National Science Foundation-supported research behind Digitomy has been underway at USF since 2018. The technology, created by Associate Professor Ryan Carney and Professor Sriram Chellappan, uses artificial intelligence to identify mosquito species, gender and whether they have fed on blood. Paired with cloud computing and a mapping dashboard, the system aims to help public health officials track disease-carrying mosquitoes for more timely, targeted control.

Digitomy’s trap works by hanging it on a low tree branch or placing it on the ground. Either a light or bait at the top can be used to attract mosquitoes, while a fan draws them inside. Once captured on a sticky pad, two built-in cameras photograph the insects, allowing the AI technology to identify their species using a vast database of mosquito images.

“Traditional mosquito surveillance requires a long manual approach by specialists, which can take two to three days under a microscope,” Chellappan said. “The AI in our trap speeds up the process and can lead to more targeted disease interventions, while still being human led.”

While smart phones can be used to help identify a mosquito by its physical characteristics, laboratory testing calculations suggest the Digitomy is highly efficient, requiring less energy to identify an entire sticky pad of mosquitoes than sharing a single Instagram post.

Testing at USF and the research team’s partnership with St. Johns County’s Anastasia Mosquito Control District, which includes St. Augustine, have helped advance the technology.

Beyond identifying mosquitoes, Digitomy could help public health officials pinpoint where disease-carrying species are concentrated and direct control efforts more effectively. The technology could also complement Carney's earlier DYCAST early warning system for dengue and West Nile virus outbreaks.

The team has also integrated trap data into a private layer of its Global Mosquito Observations Dashboard, combining trap information with more than half a million citizen science reports. The system could eventually help mosquito control districts monitor populations across different locations and respond more quickly during outbreaks.

Digitomy is also developing a cloud-based education platform for mosquito control professionals and the public. Users can examine mosquito images, identify species and receive AI-generated feedback to improve their identification skills without attending in-person training sessions.

“Education is our secondary line of defense,” Carney said. “While our smart traps provide the macro-level data, the public should practice the three D's: Drain standing water, dress to cover skin and wear DEET. Pairing automated AI data with mosquito control and engaged communities can help us conquer these outbreaks.”

The researchers hope to work with mosquito control districts, including Anastasia and Hillsborough, to incorporate the platform into professional training and public education programs.

As Digitomy moves closer to consumer sales, the researchers are preparing for field validation with Hillsborough County while working to bring the technology to market.

Carney and Chellappan are now working with the USF Technology Transfer office to license Digitomy to established mosquito trap manufacturers who can combine their existing equipment with USF's AI identification system.

“Mosquito-control programs wait days to learn what is in their traps,” said Diana Shapiro, chief operations officer of Digitomy and operator for several USF ventures in USF Technology Transfer’s Launch Program. “Our technology is built to tell them the same day, and to reach the places with the least to spend and the most at stake.”

This summer, the USF Research Foundation awarded Digitomy the $25,000 through its Bull Ring Accelerator grant—a new initiative that helps accelerate the licensing and commercialization of USF technologies.

About the University of South Florida 

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and USF Health. In 2026, U.S. News & World Report recognized USF as a top 50 public university for the eighth consecutive year. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine in the highest tier, placing it as one of the top 16 medical schools in the nation. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $775 million in research funding in 2025 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of nearly $10 billion for the state of Florida. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.