Mosquitos

Habits

Like other mosquito species, only females require a blood meal to produce eggs. Asian tiger mosquitoes typically feed during the daylight hours when they are most active. The males do not bite and primarily feed on plant nectar.

Habitat

In warm regions, Asian tiger mosquitoes are active year-round. However, they are known to overwinter in temperate climates. The females lay their eggs inside items that can hold stagnant water, such as tires, flowerpots, birdbaths and clogged drains.

Threats

The bite from a female Asian tiger mosquito can leave an itchy, red bump on the skin. But, the real threat posed by this pest is its ability to transmit numerous diseases including West Nile virus, encephalitis and dengue fever.

The Asian tiger mosquito is also the primary vector for Chikungunya, a virus similar to dengue fever. The disease originated in southeast Africa and was first described in Tanzania in 1952. It has since spread throughout the Americas, the Caribbean islands, and most recently in the United States.