Why are there mosquitoes?

While some species of insects and animals will eat mosquitoes in their different stages, no one species is totally dependent on mosquitoes to survive. All predators of mosquitoes are indiscriminate — they will choose other insects that are accessible, and usually prefer larger prey. Bats and purple martins are touted as great mosquito predators, and they can consume their fair share. But research has shown that mosquitoes comprise less than 1% of their total diet in the wild. Mosquitoes may play a role in the pollination of plants — both sexes, male and female, drink nectar for energy. Many species of flies are believed to be an important link in plant pollination — with the reduction of European honeybees due to parasites; flies have again emerged as the dominant species for pollination (the European honeybee is not native to this country, and before their introduction, flies and native bee species were the dominant pollinators). Mosquitoes are likely to play a small role in this as well.