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Text/Editor/Xiao Yan's view of the world
Mosquitoes, small but headache-inducing creatures, often sneak up on us at night and can spread diseases. People try to prevent mosquito infestation by various means, such as lighting mosquito coils and spraying flower water, but it seems that it is difficult to cure it. However, there is a natural predator of mosquitoes in nature, and this creature can devour up to 3,000 mosquitoes a year. Its name is Dragonfly, an insect known as a "water beggar" in the larval stage. Dragonflies have a long process of growing up, taking eight years. Amazingly, dragonflies were masters at preying on mosquitoes as children. Sadly, this creature is now a delicacy on the human table, causing their numbers to decline dramatically. If we don't protect dragonflies, will we still be able to see them flying freely in the sky in the future?
Although the little warriors in the water, the water bugs, although they are tiny and only three to four centimeters long, they play an important role in nature. The body color of these creatures is mostly dark brown or dark green, similar to that of adult dragonflies, but the difference is that they do not have wings. Because of this, water flies spend most of their lives in the water, until they metamorphose into dragonflies that soar through the sky.
Not only is it small, but it is also highly aggressive, making it a standard carnivorous insect. Their main food includes mosquito larvae, mayfly larvae, stone fly larvae, etc., which play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance. Experts have found that if water flies feed exclusively on their babies, they can eliminate tens of thousands of babies within a year, effectively controlling mosquito populations.
It is worth mentioning that this talent of the water fly is also used by humans. Many farmers have found that by releasing water bugs in farmland waters, they can effectively reduce pests and provide natural protection for crop growth. This bio-friendly pest management method not only reduces the use of chemical pesticides, but also helps to protect the ecological environment.
These little water warriors face a serious problem. Their numbers are gradually decreasing as humans catch and eat them. If this trend continues, we may not only lose this natural pest controller, but also the opportunity to appreciate their eventual transformation into graceful dragonflies. Therefore, we need to recognise the importance of protecting the water fly so that these tiny creatures can continue to play their indispensable role in nature.
Many people wonder why mosquitoes seem to prefer summer. To answer this question, we must first understand the living Xi and suitable living environment of mosquitoes.
In southern China, mosquitoes are usually active from April, while in northern China they wait until June. By August, mosquito populations typically reach their peak of the year. This period is also the prime time for mosquito breeding. Mosquitoes develop very quickly, taking only about 10 to 15 days from egg hatching to adulthood. This process involves the hatching of eggs, several molts of the larvae, and finally adult worms.
Mosquitoes have a short life cycle, so they take advantage of the high temperatures and humid conditions of the summer months to reproduce quickly. This climate provides ideal conditions for mosquito development, especially warm and well-hydrated environments. Summer is when these conditions are most easily met, so mosquitoes are especially active during this season.
Mosquito reproduction is also affected by the time of day and the source of water. Long summer sunshine and abundant water sources, such as ponds, ditches, and standing water, provide an ideal environment for mosquitoes to breed and grow. Summer has become the best season for mosquitoes to breed, and they appear in large numbers at this time, which brings a lot of trouble to people's daily life.
Mosquitoes, as the "enemy" of human beings for a long time, have brought a lot of inconvenience to people. In the fight against mosquitoes, humans have discovered a natural ally - the water fly. However, the number of water flies is declining dramatically, and the reasons behind it are worth pondering.
In China, the water fly was discovered to have a unique flavor and became a new favorite in the food market. The quest for the deliciousness of the water fly has led to the overfishing of this creature. The role of water flies in nature is very crucial, they are the larval stage of dragonflies and are natural hunters to control mosquito populations. But in a human cooking pot, these tiny creatures rarely have a chance to grow into full-fledged dragonflies.
As it has become a high-priced delicacy, the demand for it is growing in the market. It is understood that the market price of water flies is as high as 80 yuan per catty, which is staggering. This commercial fishing not only threatens the survival of the water bug, but also indirectly exacerbates the mosquito problem. A decrease in the number of water flies means fewer natural enemies of mosquitoes, which leads to an increase in mosquito populations.
We should be aware that the water fly is not only a delicacy, but also an important part of the natural ecological balance. Overfishing not only threatens the water bug population, but can also lead to ecological imbalance. Therefore, it is the responsibility and obligation of each of us to reasonably regulate the fishing of water bugs and protect these small creatures. Only in this way can we see dragonflies in nature and control mosquito populations more effectively.
In nature, the life cycle of the water fly is full of wonderful and difficult transformations. These larvae undergo a magical transformation as they prepare to emerge into dragonflies. When the hormones in the body reach a certain level, they instinctively leave the surface of the water and look for a suitable place to feather. This process usually takes place at night or early in the morning to avoid the intense sunlight and potential predators during the day.
Choosing nocturnal feathering is not only a natural defense mechanism, but also related to the tendency of their wings to brittle in dry environments. This moment is crucial for the water fly, just like a martial arts master in retreat, any interference can lead to failure. Freshly hatched dragonfly larvae are fragile and can easily become a meal for fish. Only by successfully navigating the long juvenile period can the water flies complete their life course.
Although dragonfly adults have a short lifespan of only 1 to 8 months, they spend most of their lives in water. As a result, larval water flies are often treated differently from adult dragonflies.
When it comes to predation, the water fly's ability should not be underestimated. They have a unique jaw structure that is like a state-of-the-art technology mask that can be retracted flexibly. When faced with prey, the water fly can quickly launch this mask and use its hook to catch its prey with precision. In addition to this, the back part of the water fly has a water pipe-like structure that not only helps them breathe, but also quickly tightens their body in case of distress, spraying water to gain the power to escape.
Water bugs also possess a unique escape technique. When faced with powerful enemies or dangerous situations, they will suck in water through small holes in their abdomen and spray it with great power to gain the ability to flee quickly in the water.
As carnivorous insects, the water fly has a rich diet. They not only hunt small aquatic insects, but also hunt small fish, small shrimp, tadpoles, etc., to ensure that their bellies are full. When food is scarce, water flies are not picky eaters, and any smaller creature can become a target for them. These characteristics make the water fly a small bully in the water and play an important role in maintaining ecological balance.
In many parts of China, eating insects as food has become a traditional Xi. From cicadas to silkworm pupae, all kinds of insects have undergone a culinary transformation and become a delicacy on people's tables. In recent years, the water fly has also gained popularity as a protein-rich and delicious insect.
There are many ways to cook them, the most common being frying and frying. These cooked water flies have a crispy skin and a juicy inside, and when sprinkled with cumin and paprika, the flavor is even more unique. In some ethnic minority areas of Yunnan, the water fly is also subjected to special treatments, such as scalding it with boiling water, then coated with eggs and flour, and finally fried in an oil pan until golden brown.
Due to its rarity and delicacy, it is quite expensive in the market. In some places, the price of water flies is as high as 40 to 80 yuan per catty. This high profit has attracted a large number of people to join the ranks of fishing for water bugs, which has undoubtedly had a great impact on the ecological environment of the waters.
There are already many natural predators in nature, such as birds and large fish, and now they have to face human fishing. This continuous fishing puts tremendous pressure on the number of water bugs. Despite their ability to reproduce, their populations have declined dramatically due to such intense fishing.
This phenomenon has attracted the attention of environmentalists. Dragonflies and water bugs play an important role in the biological chain, especially in controlling the population of pests such as mosquitoes. If these beneficial insects are overfished, it can lead to a surge in pest populations, which can have an immeasurable impact on the ecological balance.
The predatory ability of water bugs is a threat to the aquaculture industry, but they are indispensable beneficial insects for natural ecology. However, they are now facing an existential crisis driven by human appetite. This raises a question worth pondering: is the phenomenon of the water fly becoming human food a supplement to the natural ecology, or is it a kind of destruction, and how should we balance this relationship for the future of the water fly?