Oxygen found in water is dissolved in the water and utilised by all the creatures living in it, both fauna and flora. This oxygen accumulates in the roots and tissues of plants. The larvae of the mosquito Mansonia make use of this oxygen "packaged" in plants. The larva has a saw-like organ for boring into the roots and tissue of plants to draw out their oxygen content. By means of this it can comfortably meet its oxygen requirements and remain permanently below water.

Here, again, there is obvious evidence of a design. The structure of the Mansonia larva, which does not come up to the surface of the water, contains everything that is required for piercing the roots and extracting the air they contain.

What is more, the larva is aware of why it has been given this "tool" as part of its body. But the larva's knowledge is not just confined to this. The larva also knows somehow that it needs oxygen and that the oxygen is to be found in the roots of plants. Naturally, the fact that a larva only 1.5 mm (0.5 inch) in length, that has only just come into the world, has all this knowledge cannot be explained away by claiming that it is coincidence.

Close enemy

It would not be accurate to describe all mosquito larvae as calm creatures that swim around in the water minding their own business making do with bacteria for food. Larvae of some species are somewhat predatory. Feeding continuously at this stage, they may eat one another when they are unable to find food. For this reason, the best kind of water for the larva's welfare is not clean water but dirty water full of bacteria. When in clean water, only a few larvae may survive out of the hatchlings from the raft-like group of eggs.

However, the mother mosquito is perfectly aware of this and is more likely to lay her eggs in dirty water, where approximately 100 larvae will emerge safe and sound from the egg-raft.

It is worth pointing out at this stage that the mother's actions are also based on a conscious decision. When a mosquito comes across two sources of water, one of which is clean and the other dirty, her decision leans towards the dirty water.

Now, does the mosquito take these measures to ensure survival of the species based on thought or observation? Of course there is no question of the mosquito gaining experience on the basis of which it makes decisions and passing on this experience to future generations.