How do mosquitofish control mosquito populations?

Mosquitofish are effective biological control agents for mosquito populations primarily because they consume mosquito larvae. As these fish feed on the larvae in water bodies, they significantly reduce the number of adult mosquitoes that can emerge. This predation plays a crucial role in managing mosquito populations, especially in stagnant water areas where mosquito breeding occurs. The consumption of larvae directly lowers the reproductive success of mosquitoes, making mosquitofish a natural and environmentally friendly method of pest control.

The other options do not accurately represent how mosquitofish impact mosquito populations. For instance, while competition for food resources could theoretically influence mosquito survival, it is not the primary mechanism through which mosquitofish exert control. Additionally, mosquitofish do not repel adult mosquitoes, nor do they disrupt mating rituals, as those actions are not part of their behavior or ecological role.