Wolbachia-based biocontrol for dengue reduction using dynamic optimization approach

•Bistable population dynamics of wild and Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes is included in the dengue transmission model.•Introduction of Wolbachia-carriers redirects the disease evolution from its endemic state to the disease-free equilibrium.•Cost-effective release programs are designed by the optimal control approach.•A tradeoff between the number of released insects and the overall time of intervention is identified.