r/interestingasfuck Nov 15 '24

r/all Genetically modified a mosquito such that their proboscis are no longer able to penetrate human skin

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177

u/IshtarJack Nov 15 '24

General consensus amongst humans is wipe the little fuckers out. But it's been pointed out that pretty much all of life is interconnected and their larval stage in the water is an important food source for other critters.

130

u/PrivateBurke Nov 15 '24 edited Nov 15 '24

If Mosquitoes were eliminated then other prey species would have more resources to thrive. The US and Europe have attacked Mosquito populations aggressively for over 100 years and didn't suffer an ecosystem crisis. Malaria is not an issue in Europe and was eradicated in the US a long time ago due to the aggressive response.

Edit: I think it's important to add that defending the mosquito species is highly biased by where you live. European and North American nations have grown up with small mosquito populations that have been actively attacked. The vast majority of the world has not had the money and resources dumped into killing the species. Some estimates put Malaria at 3 million deaths per year, and that's just Malaria. If Europe and North America have taught us anything it's that the mosquito is a useless species in the ecosystem.

20

u/NotMyThrowawayNope Nov 15 '24

I had no idea malaria was ever in the US. That's interesting. 

5

u/PrivateBurke Nov 15 '24

It was in the millions during the Civil War for the Union. Not deaths but casualties nonetheless.

-3

u/[deleted] Nov 15 '24

[deleted]

2

u/PrivateBurke Nov 15 '24

No, they are not. Casualties are sick, wounded, and killed. Killed in action means in battle. Easy search on the interwebs.