This week’s new questions

We are often told not to panic when a crisis is looming, so when is the right time to do so? And what would be the ecological consequences if mosquitoes were eradicated?

13 October 2021

Dangerous Zika Infected Mosquito Skin Bite. Leishmaniasis, Encephalitis, Yellow Fever, Dengue, Malaria Disease, Mayaro or Zika Virus Infectious Culex Mosquito Parasite Insect Macro. — Nechaev-Kon/Getty Images

From a human perspective, mosquitoes don’t have many positives. What would be the ecological consequences if they were eradicated? Ian Jarvis, Saffron Walden, Essex, UK

We are often told that “now is not the time to panic” when a crisis is looming or happening. When is the right time to panic? Peter Slessenger, Reading, Berkshire, UK

To answer this question – or ask a new one – email lastword@newscientist.com.

Questions should be scientific enquiries about everyday phenomena, and both questions and answers should be concise. We reserve the right to edit items for clarity and style. Please include a postal address, daytime telephone number and email address.

New Scientist Ltd retains total editorial control over the published content and reserves all rights to reuse question and answer material that has been submitted by readers in any medium or in any format.

Terms and conditions apply.