Are all insects important ?

[Dolby]

I know that removing one species of anything will cause a ripple effect in nature and the same is true of some insects like bees - but are all insects important? Like fleas?

 

[Alan]

No fleas like ticks are parasites. Except perhaps for a degree of population control they offer nothing to nature.

 

[chrisc]

All insects are vital. Even more so than us. Nature is a finely balanced entity

 

[Ninja'd]

Would be nice to get rid of flies.

 

[chrisc]

Yes, there is a difference between vital insects and over-population. Flies can breed in astonishing numbers, but there are ways and means of controlling them to some degree. Most are a bit messy, but this one works well:

http://www.motherearthnews.com/home...-get-rid-of-flies-naturally-zmaz83jaznet.aspx

 

[Alan]

All insects are vital. Even more so than us. Nature is a finely balanced entity

Please explain why a flea is vital? No nature is not finely balanced as if removing one species and everything will spin out of control and collapse. Nature is incredibly adaptive and will continue to evolve and sustain itself.

 

[chrisc]

A flea is important to its predator. Take this away, and the predator will have to find an alternative source of food. Then this predator might in turn be food to something else

But also read post #5 regarding being a part of natures's cycle of life and over-population

 

[Noseworthy]

Mosquitoes serve no purpose besides eradicating people. So I'm kinda divided on them

 

[chrisc]

They are nice on toast

 

[ponder]

I hate mozzies!

 

[bromster]

I realised something last night. If you sleep with ear plugs in, or even earphones I guess, you would probably get bitten still, but you would be awoken into a blind rage by the zzzzzzzzewp as it buzzes around your ears. I think I will try this next time I want the window open.

 

[Ninja'd]

Got a 2 hit combo by bees not more than 10 mins ago. One on the hand, the other on the back of my neck. Given my current mood I say take a flamethrower to their hives.

 

[Alan]

I realised something last night. If you sleep with ear plugs in, or even earphones I guess, you would probably get bitten still, but you would be awoken into a blind rage by the zzzzzzzzewp as it buzzes around your ears. I think I will try this next time I want the window open.

go ahead we won't hear your screams from the itches of a thousand bites when you do awaken

Got a 2 hit combo by bees not more than 10 mins ago. One on the hand, the other on the back of my neck. Given my current mood I say take a flamethrower to their hives.

May I suggest you watch this to cool your nerves

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2263058/

 

[Swa]

Mosquitoes serve no purpose besides eradicating people. So I'm kinda divided on them

They serve a meal for dragonflies. Yes some insects are vital but others are still important. Nature is a fine balance where removing one creature requires adaptation. If that adaptation can happen then fine but if it can't then more species may be lost. Even so it will have a ripple effect that gradually gets smaller.

 

[SamCasey]

Not only food for dragonflies...

 

[Ninja'd]

May I suggest you watch this to cool your nerves

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2263058/

It has begun

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/bee-hive-stolen-thieves-steal-2974400

A hive containing thousands of bees hibernating over the winter has been stolen.

The hive was taken from a community garden in Norwich, between December 13 and 22.

It contained sleeping bees hibernating for the winter. Hives are typically home to between 20,000 and 60,000 of the insects, which can live in vast colonies.

A Norfolk Police spokesman said: "It would have taken two people to move the structure.

"Police are keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information concerning the whereabouts of the stolen hive."