Mosquitoes – The Deadliest Animals on Earth

Mosquitoes – The Deadliest Animals on Earth

Mosquitoes – The Deadliest Animals on Earth
22 May 2018 – 1 June 2019

Concept by: 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 realization: Mario Galov, Krešimir Novak, Denis Bućan
Reviewer: Dr. Vlatka Mičetić Stanković
Proofreading: Dr. Vlatka Mičetić Stanković
Photography: Dr. Ana Klobučar, Dr. Nediljko Landeka, Lana Schmidt, Shutterstock Ltd.
Exhibition marketing: Branimir Ivić and Martin Glavinić
Printing: Printgrupa d.o.o.

The exhibition was financially supported by the City Office for Culture of the City of Zagreb and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia, and sponsored by Hrvatska elektroprivreda d.d. and Jadranski naftovod (JANAF) d.d.

Exhibition authors Dr. Iva Mihoci and Petar Crnčan, together with collaborators Dr. Ana Klobučar and Dr. Nediljko Landeka, present valuable mosquito collections from the Republic of Croatia, the key biological characteristics of this important group of disease vectors, and the mosquito life cycle displayed in an aquarium to familiarize visitors with the morphology of its developmental stages. The exhibition also presents invasive mosquito species, the ways in which they are introduced, and their significant vector potential. Various mosquito control methods used in Croatia at different developmental stages are also showcased. The exhibition is further enhanced by holographic technology, which has proven to be an excellent way of visualizing these tiny organisms.

The exhibition is dedicated to Prof. Dr. Enrih Merdić in recognition of his outstanding scientific contribution to the study of the biology, ecology, and population control methods of mosquitoes in Croatia. It is open to visitors until the end of the year.

Interesting facts

• Mosquitoes cause more human deaths than any other animal on Earth. They transmit the pathogens responsible for diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, West Nile fever, and many others.
• Approximately half of the world’s population is constantly at high risk of contracting mosquito-borne diseases.
• More than 3,500 mosquito species belonging to 113 genera have been described to date.
• Humans have always tried to control mosquito populations, yet no attempt has resulted in a permanent solution.
• Although Gambusia affinis and Gambusia holbrooki are effective in mosquito control and have been widely introduced for this purpose, both species have negative impacts on native fish populations as well as zooplankton, insect, and crustacean communities.
• Only female mosquitoes feed on blood, which they require for egg development, while males feed exclusively on nectar.

Main sponsor
Jadranski naftovod (JANAF) d.d.