this post was submitted on 14 Oct 2024
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Science Memes

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[–] Dabundis@lemmy.world 5 points 1 month ago (3 children)

If we were to somehow magically remove mosquitos from existence in an instant, we'd better hope something fills their ecological niche quickly

[–] shalafi@lemmy.world 16 points 1 month ago

Nothing eats them exclusively, that I know of. And they're tiny. Any insectivore is getting far more nutrition out of about anything else.

Maybe I'm wrong, but biologists seem to think eradication is a non-issue.

[–] smeg@feddit.uk 5 points 1 month ago

I think the purpose of the original genetic modification is to make them unable to bite humans (and spread malaria) but to otherwise leave them capable of feeding, thus not wiping them out and upsetting the ecosystem they're part of

[–] MelastSB@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

That niche being flying bloodsucker? I'm not sure the alternative will be any better

[–] Dabundis@lemmy.world 8 points 1 month ago

The niche being food for fish that share their ecosystem in larval stages, and birds/bats/frogs that share their ecosystem in their adult stage.