What would change if there were no mosquitoes on earth?
mosquitoes on earth
Throughout human history, battles and wars have killed nearly a billion people. But this gargantuan number is overshadowed by the amount of deaths caused by a much smaller and harmless-looking creature: the mosquito. In The Nature Journal, it is estimated that during the past 50,000 years, nearly half of all human beings who ever lived have perished from diseases transmitted by this tiny insect. Of these, malaria is one of the most lethal. Mosquitoes transmit malaria and spread numerous other viral diseases, such as Zika, dengue, West Nile fever, and yellow fever. Malaria, by itself, killed 627,000 people in 2022 around the globe. However, the Anopheles gambiae mosquito has been the most problematic in rural Africa. A 2020 article in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences even referred to this mosquito as the world's most lethal creature.
With so terrible an impact, do we need to wipe out mosquitoes?
And what would happen if we did? Though it's difficult to determine all the effects, it is of interest that there are about 3,500 species of mosquito in the world. Only about 100 of them bite humans and cause disease. Some species bite but are not disease-carrying, and others only inhabit forests, where they feed on natural resources and contribute to their ecosystem. Next is the issue of whether we must eradicate all mosquitoes, or if we must attack only the most harmful species. Targeting problem species such as Aedes aegypti (yellow fever and Zika) or particularly Anopheles and Culex (malaria, dengue, West Nile fever, lymphatic filariasis) might be a wiser and more environmentally sound policy. These are the species that transmit the most diseases from mosquitoes to humans. Instead of attempting to eliminate all mosquitoes, scientists are considering targeted methods of controlling or eliminating deadly species.
For instance, scientists are experimenting with the release of mosquitoes that have been infected with certain bacteria to slow down the spread of dengue.
Another approach is to genetically modify mosquitoes so that they become sterile and gradually decrease in number. Nevertheless, removing mosquitoes from the globe for good could have unforeseen consequences for ecosystems because several species are present in food webs and pollination. A mosquito-less world is not purely speculative. Hawaii before 1826 did not contain any mosquitoes, and there are still places on this planet where mosquitoes cannot survive or reproduce, such as Antarctica and Iceland. Scientists argue that the majority of mosquito species are harmless to humans and help in sustaining ecological stability.
Therefore, rather than eliminating all mosquitoes, a less obtrusive tactic—targeting only the most lethal mosquitoes—may be the best way of reducing human suffering while preserving ecosystems. To those who prefer to live mosquito-free, migration to Iceland might be a consideration. However, for the rest of humanity, focus needs to be placed on controlling the specific species most detrimental to human health.
1. Food Chain Modifications
Mosquitoes are a vital food source for numerous animals, namely:
Fish and Aquatic Life: Mosquito larvae are an essential food source for small fish, frogs, crabs, and other aquatic life. Some, such as tadpoles and certain types of fish, rely on mosquito larvae as a survival mechanism.
Birds and Bats: Some birds, such as the Purple Martin, Swallows, and certain bats, feed primarily on mosquitoes at night.
If mosquitoes were to disappear, these animals would lose their primary source of food, thereby decreasing their population, leading eventually to the entire food chain being affected.
2. Impact on Pollination
While bees and butterflies are responsible for the majority of pollination, mosquitoes too have a hand in pollinating some plants and flowers. In particular, orchids and certain tropical plants are dependent on mosquitoes for pollination.
If mosquitoes became extinct, the populations of these plants would decline, which would alter the ecological balance.
3. Eradication of Mosquito-Borne Diseases
The extinction of mosquitoes would be a huge boon to humans as mosquitoes are vectors of many lethal diseases, such as:
Malaria (Plasmodium parasites)
Dengue (dengue virus)
Chikungunya
Zika virus
Filariasis (leading to extensive swelling of limbs)
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), millions of people annually die due to malaria and dengue. The world's healthcare system would see a dramatic change, and the incidence of infectious diseases would significantly decrease without mosquitoes.
4. Changes in the Aquatic Ecosystem
Mosquito larvae develop in water and become an essential part of the aquatic ecosystem. They feed on dead organic matter, maintaining the biological equilibrium in water bodies.
If mosquitoes disappeared, the following would be observed:
No food for aquatic animals.
Disruption of the aquatic ecosystem.
An interference in the food chain of small animals, which would finally extend to large animals.
5. Disruption of Ecological Balance
Even though mosquitoes are mostly considered a nuisance and a threat, they play a role in ecological balance.
They serve as a source of food for predator species.
They assist in pollination.
Their larvae aid in decomposing organic matter, which guarantees environmental stability.
If mosquitoes simply disappeared, numerous animals would have no food and the balance of the ecosystem would be lost.
6. Potential Changes in Agriculture
In agriculture, small insects like mosquitoes help control pests.
Mosquitoes and larvae in certain cases consume pests that are harmful to crops, keeping the crops secure.
Without mosquitoes, the populations of some agricultural pests could grow, which could ruin crops.
Conclusion
Mosquito eradication would be beneficial and harmful. On one hand, it would eliminate life-threatening diseases, making human life healthier. On the other hand, it would disrupt food webs, ecosystems, and plant pollination, triggering unpredictable environmental consequences.
Rather than eradicating mosquitoes completely, scientists are engaged in population control and prevention of mosquito-borne diseases using effective means.
About the Creator
Sabbir Hosen
Good Care Life is committed to good health and happy living. It offers health, nutrition, fitness, and mental well-being advice and services.
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