Do Mosquitoes Have A Purpose To The Ecosystem?

Mosquitos perform several essential functions in the ecosystem. Several animals feed on mosquito larvae, including fish, frogs, dragonfly nymphs, and birds. Male mosquitoes do not bite humans; they feed on fruit. Some mosquitoes pollinate plants, and female mosquitoes need blood to reproduce. 
In this blog, Lookout Pest Control examines mosquitoes’ role in our ecosystem by investigating what we know about mosquitoes.

What’s the Purpose of Mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes are considered biological control agents, meaning they help keep insect populations under control. Mosquitoes also pollinate flowers and serve as a food source for larger animals such as birds. Mosquito larvae are food for fish, frogs, dragonfly nymphs, and birds that feed on water insects. 

Adult mosquitoes are eaten by bats, birds, spiders, dragonflies, and other insect-eating organisms. They also eat the nectar of flowers and fruits such as mangoes. Mosquito larvae have a symbiotic relationship with some small crustaceans, such as copepods. During the larval stage of the mosquito, the copepods live within the larva until it emerges from the pupal stage into adulthood when the copepods leave to find another host.

Male and Female Differences

The adult female mosquito feeds on nectar, however, she also needs blood to reproduce. They are equipped with specialized mouthparts that enable them to penetrate the skin, inject an anticoagulant, and then suck out the blood of their victims. 

Only female mosquitoes bite humans, and a mosquito can ingest up to three times its weight in blood. Although male mosquitoes only feed on plants, female mosquitoes must feed on blood to lay their eggs.

The Mosquito Lifecycle

The mosquito life cycle consists of four stages: egg, larvae, pupa, and adult. The female lays eggs in areas with standing water. The eggs usually hatch within a matter of days if the conditions are right. The larva stage is when the mosquito’s life cycle begins; from there, the mosquito will develop into an adult.

Mosquitoes are most active at nighttime, and they only live for around two weeks. However, they can live longer if they have a good food and water supply. Mosquitoes are essential pollinators, but they also play other roles in nature: predator and prey.

How Many Kinds of Mosquitoes Are There?

Approximately 3,500 mosquito species can be found in the world. Of these, 175 species have been discovered in the United States. Not all mosquito species bite humans, and only a couple hundred of them feed on human blood.

Schedule Mosquito Control Today

Yes, mosquitoes play a crucial role in the ecosystem, both as predator and prey. The fact is mosquitoes can be deadly at the worst, and at best – an extreme nuisance. Lookout Pest Control’s mosquito control services can help protect you. 

Contact Lookout Pest Control today to schedule mosquito control services today!