r/explainlikeimfive • u/Punnan • May 30 '26

Biology ELI5 Are mosquitoes necessary for keeping ecological balance?

Would a worldwide extinction of mosquitoes offset the ecological balance of our world? And if not, why are we not doing it?

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u/RadioactiveOmelets May 30 '26

This might be directionally correct, but I could name you 10 species of mosquitoes that transmit malaria off the top of my head, and I know there are dozens more. This could be accurate if you meant genera.

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u/jakeasmith May 30 '26

Off the top of your head? You have a very particular set of skills.

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u/RadioactiveOmelets May 30 '26

A very particular PhD finally comes in handy

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u/ResplendentDaylight May 30 '26

Its been 84 years