More on the laser mosquito zapper:

If Microsoft founder Bill Gates unleashes more mosquitoes at this year’s Technology, Entertainment and Design conference, Nathan Myhrvold will be ready for him. Myhrvold demonstrated a “Death Star” laser gun designed to track and kill mosquitoes in flight. The device was crafted from parts purchased on eBay by scientists at Myhrvold’s Intellectual Ventures Laboratory.

Includes a video of mosquito wings getting burned off. Looks like they are using a blue/violet laser, as found in a blu-ray player: makes sense, as higher wavelength = more energy.