undefined | Better HN

0 pointsobezyian24d ago0 comments

> They are not a significant food source for other animals

In Indonesia for one they are. Every night, countless geckos come out, both indoors and outdoors, and start hunting for mosquitoes. Even lullabies sing about it [1].

The above song is so popular that it got an AI parody [2].

I'm curious what food chain reaction this will start if successful.

[1]: https://youtu.be/dOhHiwWwXFw

[2]: https://youtu.be/c6Ad8WAigdQ

0 comments

3 comments · 2 top-level

defrost24d ago· 1 in thread

What's the worst that can happen?

  The extermination of sparrows – also known as the Eliminate Sparrows campaign – resulted in severe ecological imbalance, and was one of the causes of the Great Chinese Famine which lasted from 1959 to 1961, with an estimated death toll due to starvation ranging in the tens of millions (15 to 55 million).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Pests_campaign

Though that's unlikely to follow on from simply reducing mosquitoes in urban areas ... it absolutely warrants a close eye being kept on roll out and knock on effects.

zarzavat24d ago

The choice is not between making one species of mosquito extinct or doing nothing.

The choice is between making one species of mosquito extinct or using traditional mosquito control methods such as removing standing water. The traditional methods affect many different insects not just mosquitoes. Attacking specifically the species that are vectors for disease is the more ecologically sound method.

If we could remove the insects that carry disease then the outcome could be more insects overall, because people will be more willing to have ponds, etc.

zarzavat24d ago

The geckos can eat other insects, they are not obligated to eat aedes aegypti. You would need to identify a creature that can't eat anything else, and then justify why humans have to die in order to support that creature's extremely selective diet.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse