Final answer:
The rate of increase in mosquito populations grows as the current population increases, a process known as exponential growth. However, in conditions above 30°C and below 60% humidity, mosquito populations would decrease due to the limitations on parous females' ability to produce offspring.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering how mosquito populations grow, it is important to understand that if a population increases at a rate proportional to its current size, then the relationship between the rate of increase and the current population is that the rate of increase increases as the current population increases. This is known as exponential growth and occurs under ideal environmental conditions with plenty of resources, such as food, moisture, and oxygen.
However, looking at the question of how mosquito populations would change if the climate shifted to very hot (above 30°C) and very dry (below 60% humidity) conditions, the data implies that the mosquito population would decrease. This is because such conditions surpass the upper temperature limit for parous females, which would result in a drop in offspring production. Moreover, below 60% humidity might also reduce the offspring production as it is the lower limit for offspring production.
If the birth rate exceeds the death rate, the population grows; conversely, if the death rate exceeds the birth rate, the population decreases. When necessary resources become scarce or environmental conditions worsen due to high temperatures or low humidity, the birth rate may fall, slowing down the population growth rate or causing it to decline.