What good do mosquitoes do?
Mosquitoes fill a variety of niches which nature provides. As such, placing a value on their existence is generally inappropriate. Their adaptability has made them extraordinarily successful, with upwards of 3,000 species worldwide. Mosquitoes serve as food sources for a variety of organisms but are not crucial to any predator species.
Mosquitoes fill a variety of niches which nature provides. As such, placing a value on their existence is generally inappropriate. Although the fossil record is incomplete, they have been known from the Cretaceous Period (about 100 million years ago) in North America. Their adaptability has made them extraordinarily successful, with upwards of 2,700 species worldwide. Mosquitoes serve as food sources for a variety of organisms but are not crucial to any predator species. • How long do mosquitoes live? Lifespan vary by species. Most adult female mosquitoes live 2-3 weeks. Some species that over-winter in garages, culverts and attics can live as long as 6 months. • Can mosquitoes transmit AIDS? Many studies have been conducted on this issue in the United States and abroad. To my knowledge, there has never been a successful transfer of the virus from an infected source to another host by bloodfeeding insects under experimental conditions.
Mosquitoes are not all pests. There are many mosquitoes that rarely bite humans or only ever occur in very small numbers. Mosquitoes provide food for birds, bats, frogs, fish and other insects. Some mosquitoes may also help pollinate plants. Where Do Mosquitoes Live? Mosquitoes can be found in a wide range of habitats and are a natural part of coastal wetland ecosystems. Wherever there is pooling water, mosquitoes can be found. Some of these habitats include: Freshwater Wetlands: Natural freshwater wetlands provide important habitat for native wildlife and plants as well as mosquitoes. Mosquitoes naturally occur in wetlands but they do not always pose a serious problem. Healthy wetlands support a balanced ecosystem containing natural predators that eat mosquitoes and help keep their populations low. These wetlands are more likely to produce unusually large mosquito populations when they become polluted (causing the death of mosquito predators) or overgrowth with aquatic weeds.
Mosquitoes fill a variety of niches which nature provides. As such, placing a value on their existence is generally inappropriate. Although the fossil record is incomplete, they have been known from the Cretaceous Period (about 100 million years ago) in North America. Their adaptability has made them extraordinarily successful, with upwards of 2,700 species worldwide. Mosquitoes serve as food sources for a variety of organisms but are not crucial to any predator species.
Mosquitoes fill a variety of niches which nature provides. As such, placing a value on their existence is generally inappropriate. Although the fossil record is incomplete, they have been known from the Cretaceous Period (about 100 million years ago) in North America. Their adaptability has made them extraordinarily successful, with upwards of 2,700 species worldwide. Mosquitoes serve as food sources for a variety of organisms but are not crucial to any predator species.
