3 ms·

I hate mosquitos as much as the next bag of blood, but what I am not so sure about is the ability for Humans to understand the ecological ripple-effect killing

I hate mosquitos as much as the next bag of blood, but what I am not so sure about is the ability for Humans to understand the ecological ripple-effect killing off any large population of insect have on the overall ecosystem, environment and food-chain. We may dislike mosquitos, but there are MANY critters out there that thrive on eating their larvae or their adults. Just as humans have decimated the Monarch Butterfly's food/mating/hatching grounds (Monarch's almost exclusively rely on MilkWeed as a food and laying/hatching of their eggs. This "weed" grew from south america all the way through northern america, which is where the multi-generational-migration path of Monarchs occurs. By killing off MilkWeed with pesticides, as Humans don't find it an aesthetically pleasing plant, effectively destroyed the biological support infrastructure used for eons by the Monarch for their mass migrations up the corridor from Mexico north. So - Sure, we don't like mosquitos, but I would not trust that we understand the true, long-term impact of eradicating them just yet.

Tagbert 6y ago
There are multiple mosquito species in each area and these control efforts only target a couple of species that are human disease vectors. Even if these specific species went extinct it would not significantly impact other creatures that prey on mosquitos. Previous eradication efforts used pesticides and impacts all mosquito species and lots of other creatures, as well. Using genetic targeting like this is much lower impact. The main question is whether it will be effective.
- samstave 6y ago
  Thanks, I appreciate the response.
- pvaldes 6y ago
  > Even if these specific species went extinct it would not significantly impact other creatures that prey on mosquitos. This claim is magical thinking and, most probably, false (And is not difficult to see the obvious plot hole there).
betwixthewires 6y ago
So one thing to keep in mind: it is estimated that half of all human beings who ever lived throughout human history were killed by mosquitoes. I understand your argument, but at some point you have to say "I'm human, I care primarily about humans, I will do what it takes to help humans." At some point we get pragmatic, selfish, and we declare something our mortal enemy. I'd say the largest killer of human beings by orders of magnitude best qualifies. I say if we can eradicate mosquitoes that feed on humans we should do it. The good news is that the plethora of ecosystems and niches in them that are filled and supported by mosquitoes is so rich with pathways that it is highly unlikely to cascade badly if they were eradicated. Particularly, we only target mosquito species that are disease vectors for human beings, and there are many many more mosquito species that target other animals or are not disease vectors for humans that those niches may very well be filled by other species of mosquitoes.

Tagbert 6y ago

There are multiple mosquito species in each area and these control efforts only target a couple of species that are human disease vectors. Even if these specific species went extinct it would not significantly impact other creatures that prey on mosquitos. Previous eradication efforts used pesticides and impacts all mosquito species and lots of other creatures, as well. Using genetic targeting like this is much lower impact. The main question is whether it will be effective.

samstave 6y ago
Thanks, I appreciate the response.
pvaldes 6y ago
> Even if these specific species went extinct it would not significantly impact other creatures that prey on mosquitos. This claim is magical thinking and, most probably, false (And is not difficult to see the obvious plot hole there).

betwixthewires 6y ago

So one thing to keep in mind: it is estimated that half of all human beings who ever lived throughout human history were killed by mosquitoes. I understand your argument, but at some point you have to say "I'm human, I care primarily about humans, I will do what it takes to help humans." At some point we get pragmatic, selfish, and we declare something our mortal enemy. I'd say the largest killer of human beings by orders of magnitude best qualifies. I say if we can eradicate mosquitoes that feed on humans we should do it. The good news is that the plethora of ecosystems and niches in them that are filled and supported by mosquitoes is so rich with pathways that it is highly unlikely to cascade badly if they were eradicated. Particularly, we only target mosquito species that are disease vectors for human beings, and there are many many more mosquito species that target other animals or are not disease vectors for humans that those niches may very well be filled by other species of mosquitoes.