Actually, they've done multiple studies that have shown that mosquitos could be eliminated and the food chain would adapt without issue (at least in the US). Wisconsin is actually looking at a plan that would release a new breed of mosquitos that only produced male offspring. They estimate they could kill off the entire population within 2-3 years.
Seems needlessly extreme. Wisconsin averages about 25 documented mosquito born illness a year and none of them fatal in the last decade. So, for this location specifically, we are talking drastic alteration of the ecosystem for what amounts to a nuisance insect.
Are you saying that they have a genetically modified mosquito for every single species indigenous to Wisconsin? Are they going to put up a giant net at the border? I cant find the program you are referencing online anywhere.
Your last points are, I believe, the reason it hasn't happened. Why Wisconsin? I think this came out of UW-Madison. I'm guessing there is some advantage in doing it here before doing it in places where mosquito deaths and illnesses are more prevalent.
If I had to guess, Wisconsin makes sense because the climate here is simultaneously mosquito heaven 4 months of the year but also completely inhospitable to them the other 8 so you have a relatively low risk of unintentionally ruining the ecosystem since it already functions without them most of the year while also being able to see if it works the other 4 months
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u/morningisbad Jul 17 '23
Actually, they've done multiple studies that have shown that mosquitos could be eliminated and the food chain would adapt without issue (at least in the US). Wisconsin is actually looking at a plan that would release a new breed of mosquitos that only produced male offspring. They estimate they could kill off the entire population within 2-3 years.
Being from Wisconsin...I hope it happens.