Will Mosquitoes Go Extinct?
WouterWhether or not mosquitoes will go extinct is not clear. This is because the animals that depend on them would lose their primary source of food.
A large percentage of fish and terrestrial species would suffer if mosquitoes were to go extinct. But some specialized predators would be able to survive without them. Others would have to find other food sources.
There are about 3,500 distinct mosquito species on Earth. However, only 200 of them bite humans. These species spread diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever. Besides carrying these diseases, some of them also attack other creatures.
It is estimated that mosquito-borne diseases kill more than a million people each year. Moreover, livestock can be infected. It is estimated that half of the world’s population is at risk of disease from mosquitoes.
Some scientists have made targeted changes to the genetic code of mosquitoes. This produces more female offspring and reduces the number of harmful species. It also reduces their ability to establish colonies. The gene drive technology ensures that the trait is passed down to a higher proportion of offspring.
Many insects and spiders would also suffer if mosquitoes were to go. The absence of mosquitoes would interrupt the food chain for fish. Other animals, such as lizards, would eat other insects instead of mosquitoes.
In addition, the loss of mosquitoes could reduce the bird population by up to half. While this wouldn’t be disastrous, it could have significant economic consequences.
