Pest of the Week - Asian Tiger Mosquito

Asian Tiger Mosquito - University of California, Riverside

The tiger mosquito is native to Asia. It is believed the species spread to the United States as a result of the international trade in used tires. The United States imports millions of tires from Asia due to the high rubber content of Asian tries, for remanufacturing purposes. Tiger mosquitoes were originally closely associated with used tires, which are used as sites for egg deposition and larval development. Tires that were imported to Texas from Asia during 1980s brought tiger mosquitoes to the United States. The trade of used tires within the U. S. has helped to dispersed the mosquito throughout the eastern and midwestern states.

Natural History

Adults of this mosquito have black bodies with conspicuous white stripes. A distinctive single white stripe runs the length of the back. Body length is approximately 0.5 centimeter. Distinct silver-white bands are evident on the palpus and tarsi. Eggs are approximately 0.1 centimeter in length and dark brown to black. Eggs are laid in moist areas just above the water surface and are capable of overwintering. Eggs hatch upon inundation and immature stages (larvae and pupae) of the life cycle occur in water and it only needs 1/4 inch depth to complete its life cycle.  Larvae are filter feeders and occur in standing water found in discarded tires, small containers and tree holes. Pupae are comma-shaped and dark brown in color.

Adult tiger mosquitoes live from a few days to several weeks, largely depending on weather conditions. Hot, dry weather reduces life expectancy. Regardless of life span, adult tiger mosquitoes seldom move far from the containers in which they were born. Most adults will be found within a few hundred yards of the breeding container.

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 wildmammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds.

Management Strategies

Management of adult populations is more complicated than for other mosquito species due to insecticide tolerance to a variety of insecticides.  Eliminating breeding habitats can be an effective method to control mosquitoes.  Empty or eliminate places that may contain standing water for more than a week.  Additionally you should:

• Screen or cover rain barrels
• Clean overgrown ponds and stock with fish
• Clean leaf-clogged gutters
• Throw away or destroy used tires
• Fill tree holes
• Change water in birdbaths weekly
• Empty water from flower pot dishes
• Recycle old bottles and cans

If you must be out and about, here are some tips for avoiding mosquito bites:

1. Avoid areas of high mosquito infestation.
2. Avoid unnecessary outdoor activities at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
3. Wear long pants, long-sleeve shirt and hat when outdoors.
4. Use mosquito repellents containing DEET. Consult a physician before applying DEET to young children.
5. Restrict the outdoor play of your children if mosquitoes are present.
6. Drain all water-holding outdoor containers around the home.
7. Inspect basements and crawl spaces. If they are flooded, drain as quickly as possible.
8. The very young, the elderly and persons with depressed immune systems are at most risk for acquiring disease from mosquito bites.

Additional Information

Featured Creatures: Asian Tiger Mosquito - University of Florida

New Jersey Statewide Adult Mosquito Surveillance Reports - Rutgers University

Asian Tiger Moquito in New Jersey

Mosquito Control - Burlington County Health Department

State of Maryland Mosquito Control Home