Of the 200+ types of mosquitoes in the U.S., twelve carry the West Nile and Zika viruses. More than simply being annoying, mosquitoes can be dangerous, yet they are an important part of the world's ecosystem
Michael Benard, associate professor and chair of Case Western Reserve University's Department of Biology, focuses research on how to control mosquito populations while maintaining environmental stability. Specifically emphasizing how changing environments affect organisms' abundances, traits and ecological interactions. Benard says to first look to amphibians.
In an article from Case Western Reserve Universiy's The Daily, Benard states: "Amphibians provide an important ecological service in insect control and are a sensitive indicator of environmental change that might directly harm humans."
In a survey of wetlands across various habitats, biologists in Switzerland associated high numbers of mosquitoes in wetlands that were modified by humans. Specifically, areas with low amphibian populations had higher numbers of mosquitoes.
Insecticides have been used to effectively control both the flying adult mosquitos and the aquatic larval mosquitoes. However, some insecticides may have negatively effect fish, amphibians and other animals.
Eco-friendly methods of mosquito control employed by pest control companies, such as trapping, larviciding, and IPM, can help restore the ecological balance tipped by heavy insecticide usage.
The question remains: Why are mosquitoes important? They are an important food source for animals. In particular, mosquitoes are the cuisine of choice in the diets of over 70% of the little brown bats sampled in the midwestern U.S. Also, the aquatic larvae of mosquitoes are the preferred prey of many salamanders. An individual salamander can consume over 800 mosquito larvae per day.
Therefore, if mosquitoes disappear, many animals will lose an important food source. It is important to maintain healthy, balanced ecosystems that benefits creatures great and small (even if they are annoying). Let's not forget that mosquitoes are the unsung pollinators.
A targeted approach that uses multiple methods based on the local environment can be an effective way to control mosquitos while limiting negative effects on other species. This ultimately has a positive impact on us humans.
