Asian Tiger Mosquitoes: What they are & how to control them
What is the Asian Tiger Mosquito?
Aedes albopictus is better known as the Asian Tiger Mosquito or the forest mosquito. It’s an invasive species that is native to areas of Southeast Asia that have tropical or subtropical climates. Since the 1960s, the Asian Tiger Mosquito has spread to areas of Europe, the Americas, the Caribbean, Africa, and the Middle East and is believed to have spread to these areas through the transport of goods and by international travel.
What does the Asian Tiger Mosquito look like?
An adult Asian Tiger Mosquito is usually less than 10 millimeters in length from end to end. It has a black and white striped appearance that resembles the stripes on a tiger. This mosquito also has a white stripe down its thorax. This coloration is visible without magnification. The Asian Tiger Mosquito’s most distinguishing characteristic is its single line of tight, silvery-white scales located between the eyes and continuing down the dorsal side of the mosquito’s thorax.
Male Asian Tiger Mosquitoes are usually about 20% smaller than females and like other mosquito species, have antennae that are bushier in appearance and have auditory receptors that can detect the noise a female makes. Females are equipped with an elongated proboscis, like other mosquito species, which is used to collect blood to feed their eggs.
What do they feed on?
Males usually feed on nectar and sweet plant juices. As males do not feed on blood, they do not bite humans and animals. Females require a meal of blood in order for their eggs to develop, and will bite humans and other mammals, as well as birds.
Do they bite?
Female Asian Tiger Mosquitoes bite multiple “hosts” during the egg development cycle and often bite a human host more than once if possible. Their bites are not painful, but tend to be more noticeable than the bites of other mosquitoes.
Where will I find them? When and Where are they most active?
Asian Tiger Mosquitoes are most often found near small collections of water, like water found in bird baths, pet dishes, gutters, and most any other item that can collect water. Females usually lay their eggs near, but not directly into water. They are usually most active during the day, using the morning and night hours to rest.
Why are Asian Tiger Mosquitoes problematic?
Aside from being a nuisance, Asian Tiger Mosquitoes are considered a “potential vector” for the Zika virus as well as yellow fever virus, dengue fever, and Chikungunya fever in humans. They are also known transmitters of a parasitic roundworm that causes heart failure in cats and dogs.
How do you get rid of them?
The Asian Tiger Mosquito is agile and is able to escape when attempts are made to swat it. Getting rid of them involves some practical steps, such as removing sources of standing water where they are known to hang out as well as securing the help of a pest control specialist.
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