[POLL] How Would the Ecosystem Change if Mosquitoes Were Eradicated Worldwide?

[Amused]

Originally posted by: JToxic
The big concern, I think, would be the animals that would not die. Mosquitos play a large role in animal population control. I can only imaging there would be some crazy problems.

OTOH, if we can kill them without harming the enviroment, I will send money to start the project.

They do? How so? What animals are killed in any signifigant number by mosquitoes?

 

[FeuerFrei]

I've just begun the slaughter. Just killed a mosquito sucking on my wrist.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: FeuerFrei
I've just begun the slaughter. Just killed a mosquito sucking on my wrist.

Viva la revolucion!

 

[ajpa123]

All i know is that i would hire 'The Artist Formerly known as Prince' and have him sing 'This is What It Sounds Like When Bugs Die' as the little pesky things are bein eradicated. Then i would drink some :beer:'s and do the dance of joy.

 

[redgtxdi]

Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix
Rather than insect genocide, how about you just wear bug repellant next time?

Oh, and please fvck off and die. :beer:

Just read a recent article that said something about insect repellents giving us cancer or some sh*t like that. Can't remember exactly, but the article was in regards to what pregnant women should stay away from and insect repellent was waaay up at the top!

I say nix the little bastards!! I seriously doubt we'd need 'em. There's tons of other food out there.

Here's another one to think about........WASPS!!! What do wasps do that we need 'em for besides build huge old nests in the eves of our homes and sting the sh*t out of us?? (Think about it for a sec)

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: redgtxdi

Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix
Rather than insect genocide, how about you just wear bug repellant next time?

Oh, and please fvck off and die. :beer:

Just read a recent article that said something about insect repellents giving us cancer or some sh*t like that. Can't remember exactly, but the article was in regards to what pregnant women should stay away from and insect repellent was waaay up at the top!

I say nix the little bastards!! I seriously doubt we'd need 'em. There's tons of other food out there.

Here's another one to think about........WASPS!!! What do wasps do that we need 'em for besides build huge old nests in the eves of our homes and sting the sh*t out of us?? (Think about it for a sec)

In over 40 years of research, there is absolutely no evidence DEET used in insect repellent causes cancer. None.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/resources/deetgen.pdf

 

[Leros]

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: JToxic
The big concern, I think, would be the animals that would not die. Mosquitos play a large role in animal population control. I can only imaging there would be some crazy problems.

OTOH, if we can kill them without harming the enviroment, I will send money to start the project.

They do? How so? What animals are killed in any signifigant number by mosquitoes?

Mosquitos spread disease. Animals die from disease.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: JToxic

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: JToxic
The big concern, I think, would be the animals that would not die. Mosquitos play a large role in animal population control. I can only imaging there would be some crazy problems.

OTOH, if we can kill them without harming the enviroment, I will send money to start the project.

They do? How so? What animals are killed in any signifigant number by mosquitoes?

Mosquitos spread disease. Animals die from disease.

Ah, OK. Gotchya.

We'll just increase the number of predators. How'd that be?

 

[Gooberlx2]

It would have an impact we couldn't conceive. Bats, spiders, countless numbers of animals that fall on some other animal's food chain would have a significantly harder time finding food and die out....thus the animals relying on them for sustenance will die too. Also, think of mosquitoes as natural immune system boosters. Yeah it sucks to get bit and itch, but it also exposes you to all kinds of common diseases in small enough quantity that you can fight off infections of it.

Sickle Cell Anemia, IIRC, is a mutation that somewhat counteracts Malaria (spread by mosquitoes), which is why many Africans have it....those who don't die of blood clots can survive malaria epidemics, and thus pass on the gene. It's kinda like a catch-22, survive malaria, but then get blood clots in the brain.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Interestingly, my gf's immuno-suppressant is plaquinel....which was developed as an anti-malarial drug. Also interestingly, she NEVER gets bit by mosquitoes...even in masrshy mosquitoe infested spots (like where we watched the 4th of July fireworks)....I got bit all to hell.

Makes ya wonder...Like mosquitoes can sense "bad" blood before they bite. I wonder if malaria and mosquitoes have some sort of symbiotic relationship.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: z0mb13
turtles and geckoes would die too

Again, would they die out completely, or would their populations be thinned?

Is there any animal that lives 100% on mosquitos?

Probably not, but the decrease in food source may simply make it so that the populations dwindles considerably. When you factor migratory routes, predators, sheer space and distance....a smaller population makes it harder sustain that population through procreation.

 

[eelw]

I'm lucky. No matter how many mosquitoes are around, I don't ever seem to get bit. So since they don't bug me, I will leave them alone. Silverfish and fruitflys on the otherhand...

 

[Wallydraigle]

Most freshwater ecosystems would probably completely crash. Think of all the little fish that eat almost entirely mosquito larvae, and think of all the big fish that would starve when all the little fish die off. It would be a disaster.

 

[Mermaidman]

Originally posted by: Amused
How Would the Ecosystem Change if Mosquitoes Were Eradicated Worldwide? Discuss... and vote!

I dunno, but what are you gonna do when aliens stop by Earth to check on their mosquito cousins and find out that humans exterminated them?

 

[RU482]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Eat a whole clove of garlic.

- M4H

My uncle used to be a military training sargent in the reserves. He said about 2 weeks before they had to do summer drills, he would load up on garlic and vitamin B something. He said there would be a 3 inch forcefield around him that no bug would dare penetrate, while the guy next to him would be eaten alive.

I'm guessing he probably smelled really bad, though

 

[sixone]

Originally posted by: ajpa123
All i know is that i would hire 'The Artist Formerly known as Prince' and have him sing 'This is What It Sounds Like When Bugs Die' as the little pesky things are bein eradicated. Then i would drink some :beer:'s and do the dance of joy.

:thumbsup: