The Biological Success of Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are an ancient group of insects, which has persisted for millions of years. Through the process of evolution nature has superbly perfected them that they may survive under the most adverse conditions and in a diversity of environments. Nature has succeeded in combining in them certain advantageous characteristics, the combination of which is found in no other groups of insects. If diversity of species, habits, numbers of individuals and persistence in geological time are the measures, then mosquitoes are undoubtedly one of the success groups among insects of biological evolution. Some of the reasons for the biological success of mosquitoes are as follows:

1) Large number of species: There are over 300 species belonging to 34 genera in the world. Of these, only about 300 species transmits human and animal diseases.

2) Functional wings: Flight imparts great mobility to mosquitoes and enables them quickly to establish themselves, as food becomes available. Flight also facilitates rapid escape from an unfavorable climate.

3) Adaptability: The ecological tolerance and behavior are distinctive for each species, and these factors have instinctive reactions, which tend to insure that the individuals will always move to the place in the community, which affords optimum conditions for the success. The development of physiological resistance towards insecticides is also one of the important factors for its survivability.

4) Rapid reproduction: The short life cycle of mosquitoes, one time insemination and high prodigality of production, is probably a key factor in their success.

Some long eras past in the geological records before insects appeared. They have existed on earth for a very long period atleast, from carboniferous times, some 300 million years ago.