Have you ever seen the list of the world’s deadliest animals to humans?

Mosquitoes, with their 725,000 victims per year, easily take the lead.

Yet humans are not the only ones in peril. These deadly creatures also threaten a variety of other animals, including birds. The National Audubon Society indicates that mosquitoes-carried-diseases, such as avian influenza, West Nile virus, and avian pox, can drastically sicken and kill birds. 

Moreover, the progressive deterioration of our climate coupled with an alarming increase in the global temperature has given mosquitoes entrance to habitats inaccessible to them before. And surely, the increase of mosquitoes in these environments means increased adverse impacts on some of the most endangered species in the United States, notably in Hawaii.

According to Honolulu Civil Beat, mosquitoes and changing climate are displacing Hawaii’s Maui parrotbills to higher elevations. These critically endangered birds used to find refuge at high mountaintops, where the cool temperature inhibited the mosquitoes until the forests heated up; mosquitoes are now flourishing at the summit.  In the past half-century, several Hawaiin bird species had gone extinct due to mosquito-borne diseases, and many more are right around the corner of disappearance. 

Source: https://hawaiibirdingtrails.hawaii.gov/bird/maui-parrotbill/

Actions are underway in hopes of restoring the species; however, the reality is often contrary to what we wish. In 2019, a group of biologists translocated 13 Maui parrotbills in an attempt to save the species from vanishing; only one bird survived with the rest all dying from infection by avian malaria.

But we should not give our hopes up because scientists have come up with several ways of controlling these harmful mosquitoes, namely the Wolbachia method. Here’s how it works:

Wolbachia is an intracellular bacteria with 5 different strains or variants. In the reproductive tract of a wild Southern house mosquito, who poses high threats to the parrotbills, exists 1 strain of the Wolbachia bacteria. The method then aims to drain the male mosquitoes of their natural bacteria strains while infecting them with a different one. During the procreation of these mosquitoes, if a distinction in bacteria strains appears between the male and female, their offspring will be sterile. And because female mosquitoes only mate once during their lifetime, this method should effectively control the mosquito population as more offsprings lose the ability to reproduce.

And while scientists are working hard, we should also help! 

To help control mosquitoes in our community, as suggested by the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia, it is best to utilize non-toxic mosquito controls, such as emptying outdoor containers that have accumulated water and regularly replacing water in birdbaths. Definitely avoid mosquito sprays because they contain chemicals, such as pyrethrins or pyrethroids, that can indirectly kill birds and spread extreme toxicity into the environment. Commit to sustainability and engage in environmental protection to help slow the progression of climate change before more climate-dependent diseases decimate us and our biodiversity.

Thank you so much for reading! Let me know what are your thoughts and questions on this blog in the comments below!