So they are testing Mutant Mosquito Killers in Florida…thoughts?

[Phong D]

So they have these mutant mosquitoes that if released to the wild they can breed out the mosquito population of a specific species.  The ones they are targeting are the ones prone to disease transfer.  I read a report a while back, that some scientists believe we can safely wipe out the mosquito population and not destroy the circle of life beyond its self repair mechanisms.  Now, in the news recently, they are ready to release some of these as a test in Florida.  The justification for wiping these little buggers out is that they are (or are close to) the most deadly creatures (in terms of human deaths) on earth.

Frankly, I just hate them cuz they suck.  Plus, if they are all dead, I can shave off a few ounces without my bug gear.

I know the plan isn’t to wipe out ALL the mosquitoes, but this now sounds like a possibility at least.  Thoughts?  Will they go into the wild to release the zombie mosquito apocalypse?  Who the hell are we that we think we can wipe out an entire species?  Good riddance??  I’m curious what backpackers who have been plagued by mosquitoes think.

[HkNewman]

Governments have done the same for other pests that adversely affected people and livestock for almost 70 years.    The most studied was the screwworm eradication started in the western US in the ‘50s and then in other countries using sterilized mates..

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/internationalservices/sterile_fly_release_programs/screwworm/screwworm_history

Scientists also bred mates with mutated genitalia to trap the unsuspecting suitor insect, dooming both (talk about “Dr. Evil”).

Think it’s state-level entomology teams and municipal public health depts that constantly monitor the insect populations using traps (insects etc multiply so fast a little trapping won’t hurt .. the r factor in ecology iirc … where smaller sized species are shown to replicate faster with more offspring).

[John S.]

The mutant ninja turtles worked out well.

[Ben H.]

definitely mixed feelings… I hope the scientists know what they are doing… and mosquitoes suck!

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