Re: Mosquito, bed net/window screen, and evolution


"dlion" <not@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:f7j3jc$28qu$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Mosquito, bed net/window screen, and evolution


A well known measure against mosquito is using bed nets and window screens.
Mosquitos' body is bigger than the hole on bed nets and window screens, so
they can't come in and bite.

But, nothing is perfect, including bed nets and windows screens. They often
have defect, a larger than normal hole, which let some mosquitos in.

I think such defect can be an effective selection pressure, which let more
smaller-body-size mosquito in, and drink blood, and breed. My hypothesis
is, in area where bed nets and window screens are widely used, the percentage
of smaller-body-size mosquito is higher than average level.

Is this hypothesis already proved true by scientist? I am eager to know.

There is an assumption embedded in your analysis - that mosquitos mostly
feed on human victims, and that most humans will be protected by nets.
Actually, I suspect that in most parts of the world, mosquitos feed mostly
on animals, and humans are a minor sideline.


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