Copyright, Sean McCann, Creative Common License
Aedes albopictus
Copyright, Sean McCann, Creative Common License
The Asian Tiger Mosquito
is a non-native
species which is rapidly spreading across America. It was
first discovered in Northern Virginia in 1997. You can tell this
mosquito apart from other mosquitos be the silvery-white
bands on its legs and thorax
(middle body section). Copyright, Chris Paradise, Davidson Biology Website Like all mosquitos, the
Asian Tiger must lay its eggs in water, however it only
needs 1/4 inch depth to complete its life
cycle. It takes
the larvae
only five to ten days after hatching to go into the
pupa
(resting) stage. About two days later, the adult
mosquito is born. Asian Tiger Mosquitos
will lay eggs in anything that collects water. Some common
egg sites are: old tires, flowerpots, buckets, rain gutters,
old soda cans, birdbaths, and kiddie pools. Mosquitos also
lay eggs in tree holes and leaves which have collected
water. Eggs can also
overwinter,
meaning they will stay in water when it gets too cold to
hatch, and continue their life cycle in the
Spring. Mosquitos
are attracted to carbon dioxide, a warm gas that warm-blooded animals
breathe out. Mosquitos are also attracted to some people more than
others. They feed by inserting their needle-like mouthpart, called a
"proboscis,"
into the skin. Many mosquitos spread diseases
carried in their saliva. Image Provided by Classroom Clipart Copyright 2004, Richard L. Leung Download
Quicktime if you are unable
to play video Relationships in
Nature: Human Human H Relationship to
Humans: Asian Tiger Mosquitos are
considered great pests
and dangerous carriers of disease. They provide little use to humans
other than as a food source to more desirable animals. Some diseases
they have been associated with include: encephalitis and dog
heartworm.
Asian Tiger Mosquitos
feed day and night, especially early in the morning and late
afternoon. Male mosquitos, as well as very young mosquitos,
are vegetarian and eat plant matter.
Female mosquitos drink blood from humans, domestic
and wild mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds.
Fortunately, mosquitos have many
predators, including: birds, bats, frogs, toads, fish, salamanders, and other insects.
