Selective elimination is a suitable solution, says Professor Babu
1.5 million people around the globe lose their lives due to mosquito-borne diseases.
Visakhapatnam: There are over 3,000 named species of mosquito of which only a couple of hundred bite or bother humans.
Mosquitoes live on almost every continent and serve important functions in numerous ecosystems. Mosquitoes have been on earth since million of years and human beings dislike them given the biting and disease spreading they do. But, the fact is, only female mosquitoes bite human beings and transmit the diseases.
Professor in Zoology at Andhra University D.E. Babu said the US Centre for Disease Control has reported that every year more than 1.5 million people around the globe lose their lives due to mosquito-borne diseases.
Scientists are trying to find ways to completely eradicate mosquitoes, but, wiping out a species of mosquitoes cou-ld leave a predator without prey and in nature, it may affect ecological balance.
The scientists have to find out a suitable solution that eliminates only the dreaded mosquitoes. If mosquitoes are totally eradicated, many species of insects such as spiders, lizards and frogs would lose a primary food source and it may lead to other problems Mr Babu pointed out.