Where Did All the Mosquitoes Go?
WouterThousands of species live on plants and the mosquitoes are one of them. They can be transmitted to humans and other animals, and there are many diseases that mosquitoes carry. Some of the most common are malaria and dengue fever.
They are also responsible for the extinction of a number of native species. In addition, they can affect pollination. They also kill more people than any other type of insect.
The Aedes aegypti is the main carrier of yellow fever. If the mosquitoes are killed, it could prevent the deaths of more than 55,000 people a year. That’s a big number. There are 3,500 different species of mosquito. Some of them are known to have been around for over 100 million years.
In the summer, they are attracted to humans. But in the winter, they hibernate in tires, storage boxes, and other items. They can live up to six months in an attic.
The Aedes aegypti needs blood to lay eggs, and the females need a blood meal to breed. The males die after mating.
Aedes aegypti eggs are re-submerged when the rains start. The offspring are susceptible to Zika virus. Hundreds of fish species would have to change their diets.
The invasive mammals that are responsible for the extinction of some native species on remote islands are also one of the main culprits. They choke off food sources and attack other species. There are a number of conservation agencies working to rid islands of rats.
