Are Mosquitoes Good For Anything?
WouterDespite their pesky appearance, mosquitoes are actually a key part of the world’s ecosystems. They are not only a source of food for many animals, but also help to pollinate plants. There are thousands of species of mosquitoes on all continents, except Antarctica.
Several species of mosquito carry viruses. The Asian Tiger mosquito, for example, spreads dengue fever, Cache Valley virus and eastern equine encephalomyelitis. Another mosquito, the Aedes aegypti, spreads yellow fever.
Aside from being a disease vector, some mosquitoes also help to carry parasites. In fact, the Aedes aegypti mosquito can carry Zika.
Scientists are now working on ways to reduce the amount of mosquitoes and dengue fever they can transmit. One approach involves genetic modification. The male mosquitoes of the Aedes aegypti species have been modified to be less aggressive. These modified mosquitoes could be released in certain areas and help to decrease the amount of malaria that the Aedes aegypti can spread.
Another approach to combat mosquito-borne diseases is the Eliminate Dengue program. This program uses naturally occurring bacteria to disrupt the mosquito’s ability to spread the disease. It is not as effective as the GM technique, but it has the potential to save 55,000 lives a year.
Other ways to control mosquitoes are to remove stagnant water. This will reduce habitat for frogs and aquatic birds. In addition, most resorts have screens over their windows, which helps to deter mosquitoes from landing on their guests.
