The "toxic male technique" aims to breed mosquitoes that express venomous proteins in their semen, killing off females after mating.

Female mosquitoes are targeted because they only bite and drink blood, spreading diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.

Scientist Sam Beach from Australia's Macquarie University said the method "could work as quickly as pesticides without also harming beneficial species".

"This innovative solution could transform how we manage pests, offering hope for healthier communities and a more sustainable future."

The first proof-of-concept trials used fruit flies, a common laboratory species favoured for its short two-week life cycle.

The scientists found that female flies bred with "toxic" males had a significantly reduced lifespan.

Researcher Maciej Maselko said the team would now trial the method in mosquitoes.

"We still need to implement it in mosquitoes and conduct rigorous safety testing to ensure there are no risks to humans or other non-target species," he said.

Genetic engineering has been used for years to control populations of disease-spreading mosquitoes.

Typically, these approaches slow reproduction by releasing hordes of male insects that are genetically modified to be sterile.

Computer models showed techniques actively killing biting females could be far more effective, the research team said.

The research was described in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications paper.