Buzzing in your ear. Biting your ankles. Flying in your face. Transmitting Diseases. Common thoughts we all have when we think of Mosquitoes. Here is what most people don’t know.
Mosquitos play an important part of our ecology.
There are over 3,500 species of mosquitos. Some of them bite people, however most of them do not. Some of them don’t bite us because they like animals, some because we are not accessible. Out of the mosquito types that do bite, only the female mosquitoes will bite as she needs the protein in blood to lay her eggs. Most of us think of the mosquitoes as being annoying and a pest when we are trying to enjoy the outdoors. Although, they are annoying they also play an important part of not only in our ecology but in ecologies around the world.
Mosquitoes pollinate!
Yes, it is true, mosquitos do pollinate. Most of the mosquitos live off of the nectar of flowers. Just like the bees and other insects that while drinking the nectar of flowers they rub against the pollen which sticks to them and they carry pollen from one plant to the next and help to pollinate the flowers so they can seed and reproduce.
Mosquitoes-a food source
Most of the birds we see on a daily basis around our home rely on Insects as their main food source. Out of those insects mosquitoes make up a good portion. This helps to feed their young which keeps the bird population up and keeps the cycle going. Likewise, mosquitoes our a huge source of food for bats. You could say the birds and bats tag team the mosquitoes where the birds rule the day and bats rule the night. Mosquitoes are relatively slow and no match for a hungry bat!
Aquatic food source
Furthermore, mosquitoes lay eggs in bunches usually in the standing or slow moving part of lakes and streams. When the eggs hatch into pupae then transform into larvae they become a part of the whole food source or biomass. this biomass is responsible for feeding fish, turtles, amphibians and other insects like dragonfly larvae.
Land animal food source
Equally important are the frogs, lizards, spiders and other land animals. Mosquitoes make up a good portion of their diet. Can you imagine the amount of mosquitoes we would have to deal with if they were not a major food source for so many birds, animals and fish?
Mosquitos aide in balancing delicate ecosystems.
Finally, there are interwoven ecosystems around the world. Whether it is the Alaskan Tundra or African Rivers. The swarms of mosquitoes in certain areas help to dissuade herds of 1000’s of animals from going into their area. This creates a safe place where other animals and plant life can grow and flourish. Without the mosquitoes as a deterrent that would not be possible.
A World Without Mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes are a major food source for birds, bats, fish, frogs, lizards, spiders and other insects along with being one of the determining factors in some migration routes of whole herds of animals. They play an important role in ecosystems throughout the world and we cannot even imagine the type of fallout and chaos it would cause as a result of their ilimination. We really should be careful how we deal with all living things and the affect our actions will have on our future.
Prevention is always the best policy. For the top Mosquito repellent plants.
