Asian Tiger Mosquito
First found in the United States in Harris Co., Texas, in 1985, the Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is now present in more than thirty states. In the Northeast, it has been reported from York County, Pennsylvania to Cumberland, Salem, and Monmouth counties in New Jersey. Most alarming is that the Asian Tiger Mosquito has demonstrated the ability to survive in states as far north as Minnesota and Delaware.
Unlike many other breeds, the Asian Tiger Mosquito is an aggressive day-biter and is most active from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It breeds in artificial containers such as tires, flower pots and rain gutters. It does not travel far from its breeding habitat.
Unlike the aedes aegypti, aedes albopictus eggs can survive very cold winters. As a result the Asian Tiger Mosquito has great potential to carry diseases into a substantial portion of the United States. In the Central region of the United States, this species has been linked to the transmission of LaCrosse Encephalitis. There have been several documented cases of Dengue Fever in southern Texas due to the increased numbers of Aedes Albopictus in that region. Another disease Aedes albopictus can transmit to humans is the West Nile Virus. The CDC reports that it has been found positive in the US since 1999, from West Nile Virus isolated, RNA detected, or antigen detected using a variety of tests.
Sources: AMCA Newsletter, Aug. 1990, Wing Beats. Novak, Robert. "The Asian Tiger Mosquito, Aedes albopictus." 1992. Vol. 3
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(Map courtesy of Centers for Disease Control www.cdc.gov)