“Mosquitoes – The Deadliest Animals on Earth” at the Metković Natural History Museum

Exhibition “Mosquitoes – The Deadliest Animals on Earth”
Natural History Museum Metković
7 June – 9 September
Opening: 7 June at 12:00 PM

Concept Author: Dr. Iva Mihoci
Exhibition Authors: Dr. Iva Mihoci and Petar Crnčan
Scientific Collaborators: Dr. Ana Klobučar, Dr. Nediljko Landeka, Mirna Klaić, Ivana Baće
Exhibition Design: Mario Galov
Graphic Design: Nikša Martinac
Hologram Production: Smart AV and Dario Iričanin
Technical Realisation: Mario Galov, Krešimir Novak, Denis Bućan
Reviewer and Proofreader: Dr. Vlatka Mičetić Stanković
Photographs: Dr. Ana Klobučar, Dr. Nediljko Landeka, Lana Schmidt, Shutterstock Ltd.
Exhibition Marketing: Branimir Ivić and Martin Glavinić
Printing: Printgrupa Ltd.

The exhibition presents valuable mosquito collections from Croatia, highlighting the most important biological characteristics of this significant group of disease vectors. Visitors can explore the mosquito life cycle through a live aquarium display designed to illustrate the morphology of different developmental stages.

Special attention is given to invasive mosquito species, their pathways of introduction, and their capacity to transmit a wide range of diseases. The exhibition also presents various mosquito control methods used in Croatia and explains how populations are managed at different life stages.

To enhance the visitor experience, the exhibition incorporates holographic technology, providing a detailed and engaging visualisation of these tiny yet highly significant organisms.

The exhibition is dedicated to Professor Enrih Merdić in recognition of his outstanding scientific contribution to the study of mosquito biology, ecology, and population control in Croatia.

Interesting Facts

• Mosquitoes cause more human deaths than any other animal on Earth by transmitting diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and West Nile fever.
• Approximately half of the world’s population is at risk of mosquito-borne diseases.
• More than 3,500 mosquito species belonging to 113 genera have been described worldwide.
• Despite centuries of efforts, no mosquito control strategy has achieved permanent success.
• The fish species Gambusia affinis and Gambusia holbrooki, although effective in mosquito control, can negatively affect native fish populations as well as zooplankton, insects, and crustaceans.
• Only female mosquitoes feed on blood, which they require for egg development, while males feed primarily on nectar.