Are Mosquitoes Bad For the Environment?
WouterUsually, mosquitoes are a nuisance. They bite humans and other animals, and spread diseases. However, they can also do good in the ecosystem. They serve as a pollinator for a few flowering plants, and provide food for some other aquatic creatures.
They are also responsible for the spread of many illnesses, such as dengue fever, chikungunya, and yellow fever. The disease, which affects hundreds of thousands of people each year, has huge humanitarian and economic impacts. If they were eliminated, millions more people could be protected from the disease, and hospital costs would be reduced.
Some researchers have proposed that killing off mosquitoes might cause collateral damage to the environment. For instance, in the Arctic, dense swarms of mosquitoes can choke caribou. This may result in changes in historic migration routes for these species. Alternatively, it could change the diet of birds in the area.
Some of the world’s largest mosquito problems occur in the arctic. The soil there is close to freezing all winter. In summer, the soil thaws, making it a prime spawning ground for mosquitoes.
Adult mosquitoes feed on nectar, and some pollinate flowers. They also feed on microscopic organic matter in water. Their larvae eat tiny particles, which they recycle. Some other aquatic creatures, such as turtles, eat their larvae.
Scientists must determine how important mosquitoes are in the ecosystem. They must also consider the effects of any insecticides used to kill mosquitoes.
The most selective mosquito control agent is Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis, which has been used in mosquito control programs in Europe for decades. It is considered environmentally safe, but the use of it is not without controversy.
