The presence of a few specimens of the Asian Tiger Mosquito -Aedes albopictus - has created quite a number of headlines locally. I wish that the discovery of more beneficial biodiversity would have the same impact.

The presence of this species should not be taken lightly and all precautions necessary must be undertaken.

However, I could not believe my own ears when I heard on the news that the board studying this species suggested the introduction of an alien species such as the goldfish (Carassius auratus) in reservoirs etc. to control the population by feeding on the mosquito larvae. Will this country ever learn? Are all those articles written by local naturalists to safeguard local biodiversity going to be wasted? I thought they would be cleverer than shamelessly encouraging such a thing.

The Maltese population is not going to distinguish between artificial reservoirs and permanent springs. Naturalists are already aware of the devastating impact that introduced goldfish and mosquito fish (gambusia sp) have had on the rare and delicate fresh water permanent-bodied areas. They destroy pond life including rare and endangered species, some of which are protected by law. Nymphs (larvae) of several species including the majestic dragonflies and tadpoles of our only native amphibian - the painted frog - do not stand a chance.

The project should be taken seriously and ecologically-friendly methods should be taken into consideration.

The public should be encouraged to introduce native species as biological control, not alien ones.

And I am not encouraging the public to go "hunting" for the native species and introduce them where required, but those who are responsible should provide these species through captive breeding.

I'm sure the experts in charge are aware of the number of species associated with pond life which are capable of reducing the population count of the newly-introduced mosquito.

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