Flying Guppies! - No really
Whilst reading this book (see image below) I was amazed to discover that Guppy fish were once dropped from airplanes into areas of the Panama canal in order to control mosquito populations!😆✈️
Yes, guppies can eat mosquito larvae. They are considered to be natural predators of mosquito larvae and can help control mosquito populations. Guppies, along with other non-native fish like mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis), have been used for mosquito control in some regions.
Elaboration:
Omnivorous Nature:
Guppies are omnivores, meaning they consume both plant and animal matter. This includes mosquito larvae, which they readily eat.
Mosquito Larvae Control:
By consuming mosquito larvae, guppies can help reduce the mosquito population and potentially minimize the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.
Potential Invasive Issues:
While guppies can be effective at controlling mosquitoes, there are concerns about their potential as invasive species. If released into natural ecosystems, they could outcompete native fish and disrupt the delicate balance of the environment, says Science | AAAS.
MORE FLYING GUPPIES!
In another totally unrelated fact - there are aircraft named after these popular Fish.
The the oversized cargo aircraft, specifically the Super Guppy and its predecessor, the Pregnant Guppy. These aircraft were not designed to drop guppies (the fish) from airplanes, but rather to transport oversized cargo like rocket components.