The Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) was brought to the United States during the 1980’s in used truck tires shipped from Japan. When the tires were moved from state to state, the Asian tiger mosquito spread. Now it is found in much of the eastern United States, including North Carolina.

Biology of the Asian Tiger Mosquito

The life cycle of a tiger mosquito has four stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Larva and pupa are always found in water.  Like other mosquitoes, the female Asian tiger mosquito needs blood to produce eggs. The tiger mosquito will bite many types of animals, including people. It likes to bite in the daytime, mostly in the early morning or late afternoon. The bite is no worse than that of other mosquitoes, but large numbers of tiger mosquitoes can be a problem around home or work.

The Asian tiger mosquito lays its eggs in containers that will hold water.

These can be man-made containers like tires, tin cans, buckets, birdbaths and gutters, or natural containers such as holes in trees and rocks. The tiger mosquito can be a problem around homes or in the woods because of the many places it can breed. Eggs are not harmed by dry or cold weather. When flooded with water during the summer, the eggs hatch. Even in a small container there can be hundreds of larvae. During warm weather, it may take only a week for the tiger mosquito to grow from egg to adult.

The adult tiger mosquito does not fly far.

It is most likely to be found close to its breeding place. In Southeast North Carolina, Asian tiger mosquitoes can be found around the house from May through October. The peak months for this mosquito are July and August.

Are spray trucks useful against the Tiger mosquito?

Mosquito spray trucks, or Ultra Low Volume cold foggers, are designed to work at night when temperatures are cooler. The Asian tiger mosquito prefers to fly during daylight hours. The best control strategy to battle the tiger mosquito is to “TIP and TOSS” all of the containers holding water around the house. Removing the larva will reduce the adult Asian tiger mosquito population.

What does the Asian Tiger Mosquito look like?

The adult is only about 1/8 inch long. It is black with white stripes on its legs and body. There is a single white stripe down the center of its head and back. These stripes give it the name "tiger" mosquito.

Problems caused by the Asian Tiger Mosquito:

Overseas the Asian tiger mosquito spreads disease. In the United States, it may spread diseases such as West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Using an insect repellant with DEET may prevent bites from mosquitoes and other biting insects.