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For an aspect of my PhD research, I wanted to quantify an ecosystem service of insects in temporary ponds. The insect I chose was the backswimmer Notonecta indica. The ecosystem service selected was control of the deadliest pest to humans: mosquitoes 1/
After hatching from eggs, mosquitoes transition to larvae as seen here. This container had about 350 larvae of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Each breathes air through a siphon at the end of its body, hence why so many stay at the surface 2/
After larvae they become pupae, breathing air this time through tubes on their heads. They don't eat at this stage, as they're preparing to become fully-fledged adults 3/
As adults, they feed, mate and lay eggs. This is a cage of pretty calm adults of Culex nigripalpus 4/
This on the other hand, is a cage of lively Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Whereas C. nigripalpus would have to be encouraged to drink blood, Ae. aegypti was very eager at any opportunity for blood, even releasing stomach contents to make room for blood 5/
In order to provide for the dozens of notonectids, each of which could eat dozens of larvae per day, I had to make the ultimate sacrifice. I stuck my arm in the cages once per week for 2 months to get over 200,000 eggs to hatch and feed to the notonectids 6/
Each colony would have between 2,000 and 3,000 adult mosquitoes, of which around 300-500 would feed each time. I started out having my arm in for 30 minutes when the colony size was small (less than 150 adults), but 5 min were enough at high density. They fill up pretty fast 7/
The most painful part would be when they just land on my arm and stick in the proboscis. Having hundreds of different individuals doing that the entire time made it difficult throughout. Music kept me distracted 8/
Afterwards, I had those lovely keepsakes. I had to do my best not to scratch because I wouldn't stop, but after that they were not a problem. I would even forget about them at times. Within 3 days they were all gone, only to come back when I stick my arm in again the next week 9/
All that was for these cute little ones below, Notonecta indica. I worked with them every day straight for 3 months, even on my birthday. The mosquitoes I worked with every day for 7.5 months. It was safe to say I was sufficiently burnt out at the end of the experiments 10/
It all got me accomplishing my mission so I was happy to have closed that chapter. Now we know 11/11
