what would happen if all houseflies and mosquitoes got wiped out tomorrow?

luckylucky

I hate and I do mean hate mosquitoes with a passion. in Ireland it's not so bad but over here in Portugal, during the summer, I'm plagued by the l'il b'ds. Their bites itch for days, not only that, back in the ol country flies were just annoying, but here they are way more aggressive. They really pester you and they actually bite at times....

Anyway I'm sure boardies don't do sympathy so let's get to the point...

I'm sure many of you have heard about bees being threatened by some micro-organism, and that if bees didn't exist the various disastrous scenarios for the planet and humankind.

Anybody got any idea what the consequences would be if the likes of mosquitoes, houseflies or any other fly that pesters humans got wiped out tomorrow?

I have a feeling there would be many negatives but not too sure offhand what they might be.

Alun

Not sure about the mozzies, but flies, or rather maggots, perform a useful function getting rid of the last remnants of dead animals. Maybe we'd all be up to our ears in dead birds, mice etc. if they weren't there. I'd be quite happy for them to carry on existing, if they'd just stop aimlessly buzzing round my house all the time, I mean, what's the point?

Weidii

I'm sure mozzies are the staple diet of some other creature, maybe some bird or spider? Hard to imagine ecosystems collapsing in their absence though :P

animalcrazy

Not sure if this is true but I heard on the radio that scientists are trying to find out a way to make mozzies extinct because they play no important role.

luckylucky

animalcrazy wrote: »

Not sure if this is true but I heard on the radio that scientists are trying to find out a way to make mozzies extinct because they play no important role.

I never thought I'd hear myself say this, or in this instance write this in regards to any living species, but when it comes to mozzies I'd welcome their extinction if they had no useful role.

mand123

The larvae provide food for fish and birds alike. Its hard to see from taking away one thing from an eco system that may seem insignificant, could actually have a harmful effect.:)

carwash_2006

I would seriously worry that if we were to make them extinct we would suddenly discover that we just hadn't worked out what vital role they play. Also as Weidii says they are probably the staple diet of something and perhaps that plays a more vital role.

Whispered

I poured the last of a bottle of wine I had opened to find 5 or 6 flies swimming in the bottle. EW

Our man in Havana

I think at times man plays god one too many times! I hate flies etc but other animals live on them so wipe them out & you may wipe other species out!

Different thing but look at the cane toad in Australia - it is wiping out loads of the top predators such as snakes & crocs! Seems silly but the poison is very bad & will kill what ever bites it! Its causing tremendous harm to the natural eco system.

BlackCat2008

luckylucky wrote: »

I hate and I do mean hate mosquitoes with a passion. in Ireland it's not so bad but over here in Portugal, during the summer, I'm plagued by the l'il b'ds. Their bites itch for days, not only that, back in the ol country flies were just annoying, but here they are way more aggressive. They really pester you and they actually bite at times....

Anyway I'm sure boardies don't do sympathy so let's get to the point...

I'm sure many of you have heard about bees being threatened by some micro-organism, and that if bees didn't exist the various disastrous scenarios for the planet and humankind.

Anybody got any idea what the consequences would be if the likes of mosquitoes, houseflies or any other fly that pesters humans got wiped out tomorrow?

I have a feeling there would be many negatives but not too sure offhand what they might be.

Don't like them myelf but think this would have a biggggg knock on effect.

Try posting it in a science forum and see what they have to say?

Don't forget to come back and tell us.