It isn't summer yet and South Australia is already starting to bake. 38C today, I'm sitting outside in my bikini at 9 o'clock at night moderating the forum, surreal !
The mossies are like bats, flying crocodiles. Where do these useless creatures fit in the world? Even the globe orb spider in a giant web seems to have given up, all mossie and no meat.
What damn use are they?
Mm looks like a OMG it is so hot my feeble brain is frying post.
Some diseases need their own airplane?
the males are very useful for cloudberries. they carry pollen rather than disease.
so do the females, until they notice a creature carrying a much more nourishing food.
like all good mothers, they want only the best for their kids, and that's why we fall victim to them.
Unfortunately, nature doesn't care what use they are. Nature just cares whether they can survive.
Because West Nile and malaria are awesome?
If you think mosquitoes are bad you should try having a stink bug invasion like we've had here in the eastern part of the US. Those are absolutely worthless creatures but at least they don't bite, I guess.
I'm sure humans are far worse for the planet than the skeeters will ever be, lol.
That said, having grown up in the Caribbean, I feel your pain. We had nets over the beds and we would constantly be on patrol for stuff in the yard that had standing water. We also used mosquito coils (responsible for many a house fire, in wooden houses) and later on electric mosquito mats (dispensing allethrin). Once the mat was on and the room filled with toxic fumes, the mosquitoes would literally drop out of the air. I'm sure it did wonders for our health too.
Quote from: Cindy on November 13, 2014, 04:42:51 AM
The mossies are like bats, flying crocodiles.
Mosquitos the size of bats? Mosquitos the size of crocodiles? And I had thoughts of someday travelling to OZ. I am going to have to rethink that one...
Thanks for the heads up!
Erin
They are useless, no doubt about it - but at least they come with their own inbuilt alarm to alert us to them
SKWISH!
Mosquitoes feed frogs. What good are ticks and bedbugs?
If you want my logical input on this, then mosquitoes don't have a direct positive impact on us, but do have a more indirect importance in the ecosystem that has a positive impact elsewhere.
If you want my personal feelings on this, then mosquitoes need to be entirely eradicated... with fire :icon_flamed:
What good are humans, for that matter?
Quote from: Danielle Emmalee on November 13, 2014, 01:00:42 PM
What good are humans, for that matter?
I like to help other humans.
And animals.
There is a fabulous trail and lake system in way northern Minnesota's Boundary Water Canoe Area. We hiked the Gunflint trail and lived in the humming cloud of skeets, black flies and no seeums around our heads and encampment. A wall of the little devils was outside the tent and invariably one or more would get in and torment us through the nights. Despite the anti bug juice I eventually developed a fever and encephalitis. I still return to the north woods for family gatherings but only in the early spring or late fall.
If developing better medications and character immune to torment is a "use" then I know their utility :D
Thanks for bringing in a more global and less anthropocentric view Danielle ;)
The purpose of mosquitoes is to start breast development in male-to-female transgender persons. After biting the nipples, the resulting mosquito bites will serve as tiny, awkward substitutes for breasts for about 1 year before giving way to real boobs.
They keep the tourists out of the Arctic. If you're a canoeist, this is huge.
Of course, the blackflies do an even better job... and they taste like blueberries! Yum.
the planet needs them to spread the final apocalypse to return the planet to pristine nature and the rebirth of the native species the dinosaur .
Quote from: skin on November 13, 2014, 01:17:35 PM
The purpose of mosquitoes is to start breast development in male-to-female transgender persons. After biting the nipples, the resulting mosquito bites will serve as tiny, awkward substitutes for breasts for about 1 year before giving way to real boobs.
I just LOVE positive people!!! ;D
And to think how much I spent on HRT when all I had to do was move to Australia!! :laugh:
They keep large mosquito repellant companies in business. And some birds, bats and other insects eat them. Me, I like mowing when lots of dragon flies are around cause then you likely won't get bitten by a mosquito at all. As a marsh monster, I fully support the right of mosquitos to exist along with the rest of us.
"Mosquitos what use are they?"
You're kidding, right? The Mosquito was one of the most important airplanes ever produced.
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1279.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy537%2FDevlynMarie%2F84775BCB_1143_EC82_2EE3E3505AEEA949_zps441c2a11.jpg&hash=6d27d61d07ed62bb5cc9f441a97e7f5102771748)
They do not bite me. For some reason they stopped biting me when I was in high school.
They'll have some use.
Get one of those bands.
I'm one of the lucky ones with skin, I don't burn, I'm as brown as now as what I'll be at the end of summer & I don't get bitten by mosquitos at all.
Charlotte my best friend however gets burnt if the forecast is going to be sunny & mosquitos, well if theres one somewhere within 200km of her, she'll be bitten.
When we went to Asia (KL, Thailand (Koh Samui, Bangkok & Kanchanaburi which is on the river Kwai), Singapore, Bali, Gigi T) in March Air Asia (cannot recommend them enough and $99 flights to Bali) were selling those bands. She got 2, however 1 lasted the whole month long trip, she didn't get bitten once.
I say give one of them a try
Quote from: Cindy on November 13, 2014, 04:42:51 AM
It isn't summer yet and South Australia is already starting to bake. 38C today, I'm sitting outside in my bikini at 9 o'clock at night moderating the forum, surreal !
The mossies are like bats, flying crocodiles. Where do these useless creatures fit in the world? Even the globe orb spider in a giant web seems to have given up, all mossie and no meat.
What damn use are they?
Mm looks like a OMG it is so hot my feeble brain is frying post.
population control of course, dear
Maybe they exist to keep ordinarily stationary people moving... Like little flying Richard Simmonses, annoying as hell, relentless, and there to help people lose weight??