Considering all the damage we do to eco systems and how little concern many governments have for the environment how come we are so concerned about potential consequences of fighting mosquitoes with genetically modified bacteria and similiar strategies?
Only a few species are dangerous to humans and none of them are keystone species in their ecosystems so why not just erradicate them?
In: Biology
I will add that regarding harm to the ecosystem- in the USA some of the main problem mosquitoes are NOT native species. So no worries about eliminating them as far as harm to the ecosystems- they are an invasive species and it would be better for our ecosystem to get rid of them.
As a Florida native of almost 50 years I can remember back before the “tiger mosquitoes “ were common here. I vividly remember the first time I encountered them- I was visiting my grandmother on Marco Island and got SWARMED by a bunch living in the shady bushes by her from walk. I’d NEVER seen mosquitoes out during the day before that- the native ones come out at dusk. It was kinda terrifying at the time- like if you saw flocks of bats just flying around in the middle of the day or something.
Thankfully the mosquito control programs have helped, at least in suburban areas that have good programs. Back in highschool we had years with no night football games due to high levels of mosquito borne diseases but haven’t heard of that happening in a while.
Scientists have developed genetically modified mosquitoes which only produce male descendants.
They have not yet released them due to not being mad scientists – they are worried about the consequences.
Do a web search for “gene drive” and your favorite mosquito species.
Other people answering your question have failed to speak to how important mosquitoes are to the ecology. Birds eat mosquitoes. Other larger animals than mosquitoes prey upon those mosquitoes. Eliminating mosquitoes is not entirely benign.
We had this problem in the last century with DDT. We sprayed for insects with this pesticide, and we found that it killed off animals higher in the food chain.
So even if it’s possible to eliminate mosquitoes or change them, there are secondary, unintentional effects to be concerned with.
Mosquitoes are actually highly beneficial. Only the females feed on blood and they only do so when they are about to lay eggs. The males and the rest of the time the females feed on various nectares and are excellent pollinators
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