Mosquitoes Role In The Ecosystem

Tiny Pests, Big Perks

Did you know that entomologists have traced the presence of mosquitoes back more than 100 million years? It sounds ridiculous to think that when dinosaurs walked the earth in the Cretaceous Period, they also battled mosquitoes and other pests. If you’re like most people, you fail to see any benefits in these little vampires, but here are a few ways mosquitoes benefit the earth.

1. Larvae are Part of the Biohazard Cleaning Crew

The larvae from the mosquitoes are much like newborn babies, as they eat a lot. They need excess food to help them grow and morph into the next phase of their metamorphosis. The larvae hatch from their mother’s egg in the ground or water.

Without moisture, the egg can’t grow and develop. Shockingly, it’s not uncommon for there to be a million or more eggs in one body of water. Females often lay their eggs close to one another, as there’s safety in numbers. It takes 7-10 days for the larvae to develop into adults, but eating is their main goal during this period.

Unlike human babies who prefer milk, these bloodsuckers have a penchant for disgusting things like fungus, algae, microorganisms, and even parasites. Since they devour a lot, they can clean up the biological waste in their immediate area. As natural waste removers, they become part of the biohazard cleaning crew.

Adding to their beneficial nature, larvae are efficient producers of waste. Insect waste, known as frass, is abundant, especially when large amounts of larvae are present. While this may not be ideal for those fishing or swimming in the water, it’s advantageous for the plant life in the basin. The frass, upon contact with water, dissolves instantly, providing a rich source of nutrients for the plants, enhancing their root strength and overall health.

Remarkably frass, like compost, dissolves on contact with water, which helps with assisting the plants in its absorption of rich nutrients. This process improves their roots, allowing them to flourish. Frass acts as an excellent fertilizer and benefits the relationship between larvae and plant life. Who knew mosquito babies could play such a crucial role in maintaining the ecosystem’s balance?

2. Repellents Provide Jobs to Millions

If you spend much time outside in the warmer months, you’re probably familiar with insect repellents. DEET products are excellent at keeping mosquitoes at bay, as no one has time for those itchy, red welts or the possibility of catching any diseases. However, it’s just another way that mosquitoes benefit the planet.

Since repelling insects has become an industry of its own, it helps provide jobs and has become a multi-million-dollar business globally. Stroll down the repellent aisle the next time you’re at your local big-box retailer. You’ll see how many different types of products are out there and all the various manufacturers of such items.

Behind each of these products are real people who depend on their income to feed their families. So, in essence, mosquitoes are not just pests but also silent contributors to the livelihoods of millions of folks around the world. This perspective might make you reconsider the role of these insects in the world.

3. A Substantial Food Source For Ecosystems

One of the most apparent benefits of the infamous mosquito is that it provides food for other animals. Since millions of these blood-sucking insects are roaming around the planet, it’s only natural that they would be a tasty meal to something out there. Ironically, they can be a treat for some but a large meal for other animals.

If you’re wondering who or what eats these buzzworthy bites, you might be surprised to learn that birds, fish, all reptiles, amphibians, and bats enjoy nature’s nibble. Now, it’s not just the mosquitoes themselves that are edible, as the eggs and larvae are a mealtime splash, too. It’s hard to imagine something so irritating could be a tasty cuisine in the animal kingdom.

4. Mosquitoes Role As Excellent EcoSystem Pollinators

Bees are known as the supreme pollinators, but mosquitoes also can carry their weight in this department. Have you ever been outside in a group, and one person seems to be a magnet for mosquitoes while another isn’t bothered? It’s likely because of the body’s sugar content.

Mosquitoes are attracted to animals and people with higher sugar levels, as sweet things appeal to them. So, it’s not surprising that they would also like flowers. Think of nectar as nature’s sugar, as plants provide this vital sweetness to attract birds and insects.

Once the insects have eaten the delicious nectar, they will brush their bodies against the flower, so they transfer the pollen from their bodies to the flower’s reproductive organs. The earth is filled with nectar-loving mosquitoes, and they do their part in helping plants grow and thrive.

Another shocking factor is that mosquitoes exist in the northernmost parts of the world. The Arctic area is known for frigid life, but the hearty mosquito manages to live there, too. Though the populations are not what they are in warmer climates, they still exist.

Since they help increase plant diversity, their presence near the Arctic Circle is vitally important. They help plant pollination occur in areas where it might otherwise be impossible. Sadly, they drive man and beast mad in this area too, as the caribou are known for being particularly disturbed by these buzzing creatures.

5. Mosquitoes Defend the Rainforests Ecosystem

Have you ever seen a swarm of mosquitoes and went the other way? It’s only natural to avoid them when you see them in large numbers. This common reaction is why they’re so beneficial to the rainforests worldwide.

Mosquitoes thrive in warm weather, so the rainforests depend on them to keep people from settling in and destroying them. No one wants to build their home or open a business where mosquitoes are bustling with activity. Since such vast areas of the rain forests are unhabitable because of these pests, they’re beautiful areas that will remain untouched and preserved.

To think that one of the tiniest creatures on earth can help protect the rainforest’s biodiversity is remarkable. While it’s natural to think the only benefits of this would be in the warmest climates of Central and South America, they also provide the same benefits in the tundra of the Arctic.

Remember that the caribou hate mosquitoes as they nag them so much? Well, they will change their entire migratory route, so they can avoid these bloodsucking vampires. Since caribou feast on plants and destroy much of the necessary ones in this climate, avoiding these routes helps to preserve precious vegetation in a sparse area.

So, mosquitoes are deterring animals and helping humans by protecting plants, trees, and other natural habitats.

6. People Eat Them Too

We’ve established that mosquitoes play a role as a great source of animal food, but did you know that many people eat them too? While it might sound disgusting to you, in some cultures, they’re vital for nourishment. Yes, there’s nothing remotely appealing about mosquito soup or pancakes, but many people wouldn’t have such cuisines without these insects.

You’ve probably heard of chocolate-covered grasshoppers or ants, but some folks in Thailand do the same with the mosquito. Additionally, they can be ground into a powder to make flour essential for baking in poor countries. Insects of all types are becoming more common as a food source, not just due to their availability and free price, but also because of their practicality and nutritional value.

It’s nice to know that some resourceful folks have learned how to use insects as food for those who might not have anything to eat. Since the planet is overcrowded and there are ongoing food concerns, why not use mosquitoes and other insects?

7. They Educate Developers

Of all the benefits that mosquitoes provide, did you ever think that they make an impact on the world of engineering? It sounds like a strange concept, but experts developed a piece of equipment that allowed them to slow the pace at which the mosquito flies. By doing this, entomologists could study this insect’s wing movements.

Consider that in your lifetime, you’ve likely encountered countless mosquitoes, and when they land on you, their wing movements are probably nothing you’ve stopped to consider. Yet, these seemingly insignificant details are of utmost importance to engineers. They are striving to develop a drone that can navigate without disturbing these tiny creatures in flight.

Since drones are becoming more popular and used by people and businesses, insects vital to the planet mustn’t be harmed with their presence. The natural world can teach even the most brilliant people so much.

8. They’re Helping to Make Advancements to Medical Science

You’re probably wondering how mosquitoes could benefit the medical community, especially since they cause so much harm with disease and sickness. If a mosquito has ever bitten you, then you know that you often don’t feel the bite but rather the aftereffects.

The proboscis is a small needle-like device that has a saw-like edge the mosquito uses to bite. This part allows them to seamlessly slip their stinger into your skin, and there’s no resistance. The proboscis slides through your skin like a warm knife through butter.

Now, how does this benefit the medical community? By studying mosquito anatomy, experts are using science to design a virtually painless needle for humans. However, this is not the only reason the experts are studying these pesky critters; they also want to learn from their saliva’s clotting mechanisms.

When mosquitoes bite you, chemicals transfer from their mouth to your skin. This chemical helps to keep your blood from clotting, so they can feast. Typically, your blood would automatically clot, and the insect wouldn’t get any nourishment, but this special agent in their blood assists them.

The medical community is studying this chemical compound to develop new anti-clotting drugs. Improving medications that can help reduce the likelihood of a stroke or a heart attack is certainly a win-win. Another possibility is soon using mosquitoes as a living vaccine to help prevent certain ailments, which would be a groundbreaking step forward in disease prevention.

Friend or Foe?

While this article is thought-provoking and provides some real benefits of the pesky mosquitoes that most don’t consider, most people aren’t ready to consider them as friends to the world. Their lousy reputation has existed since the dinosaurs walked the earth, and it’s not going away anytime soon.

No one wants to get bitten by a mosquito, or any other insect for that matter, but realizing that there are some benefits to what seems like such an ominous pest gives you food for thought. If the mosquitoes around your home are overwhelming, you should take preventative measures and call pest control to eradicate them for your safety.

Despite mosquitoes valuable role to the ecosystem, no one wants them hanging around their yard to bite their loved ones. No matter how much they can do for the earth and those who are in it, the threat of disease is very real and one that you shouldn’t forget.

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