This may lead to ecosystem crashes, but almost certainly not extinction. The gene drive, here, relies on two major features: high reproductive rate of mosquitoe

This may lead to ecosystem crashes, but almost certainly not extinction. The gene drive, here, relies on two major features: high reproductive rate of mosquitoes, and the maintenance of the elements responsible for the drive. First of all, geographically or reproductively isolated populations will not be affected and will repopulate. Second, the components of the drive may recombine, creating offspring that will not be affected by the drive, and will out-compete the affected individuals within two generations. Needless to say, the number of mosquitoes (of this species) will plummet. Perhaps, other insects, including mosquito species, will take advantage of their absence. But given their ubiquity and population sizes, some will survive. Maybe the genetic bottleneck that occurs will make them more susceptible to disease, but that's minor.