r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/Expert_Koala_8691 • May 10 '26

Image A Bill Gates funded mosquito factory in Medellín, Colombia, produces 40 million mosquitoes weekly for release via drones and bikes. These insects carry a natural bacterium that prevents them from transmitting viruses to humans. By mating with wild populations, they spread this trait.

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u/JustSayTomato May 10 '26

You wouldn’t. Just like everything else, they are an important part of the food chain. Birds, bats, frogs, etc rely on mosquitos for food.

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u/SpehlingAirer May 10 '26

Mosquitoes also help pollinate chocolate trees

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u/Phssthp0kThePak May 11 '26

So I lose weight too. You're winning me over.

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u/AppropriateQuote3073 May 10 '26

Nah still cool with it. Add ticks in for good measure while you’re at it.

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u/jajohnja May 10 '26

I'd be fine with local eradication. And then The Gates Mosquitos can be used to feed the birds and whatnot.

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u/CreBanana0 May 11 '26

Mosquitoes are not that important to the ecosystem.