Your Letters.(Correction Notice)

BUZZED

As a nature writer, photographer, and speaker, I work to educate people about the natural world and the detrimental effects people often have on it. I object to the May article on mosquito traps and zappers. Zappers are not selective and kill many kinds of insects, some of which are becoming rare. All creatures, including mosquitoes, fulfill a function in the environment. They may seem like pests, but these organisms are needed.

MARLENE A. CONDON CROZET, VA

True, bug zappers kill all insects attracted to light, but we weren't promoting them. The traps we tested are more selective. They also don't eliminate all the insects where they breed and so could be viewed as environmentally friendlier than, say, pesticides.

In most areas of North America where mosquitoes are common, bats provide a free and natural means of control. People can encourage the bat population in their area by buying or building inexpensive bat houses. Bat Conservation International (www.batcon.org) is a nonprofit organization devoted to clearing up misconceptions about these creatures and promoting habitat restoration.

DOUGLAS V. ROBERTS LOMBARD, IL

OILED