**Tiger Mosquitoes** (*Aedes albopictus*—Asian Tiger Mosquito, and *Aedes aegypti*—Yellow Fever Mosquito) are aggressive, daytime-biting mosquitoes. The conflict is public health and nuisance: they are highly effective **vectors** for transmitting dangerous viruses, including **Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika, and Yellow Fever**, making them a severe public health threat globally. They are also known for their persistent and painful bites, posing a high nuisance factor.
Taxonomy and Classification
Tiger Mosquitoes belong to the order Diptera (Flies), family Culicidae. They undergo complete metamorphosis. Unlike native *Culex* mosquitoes, they are active during the day, feed on multiple hosts, and lay eggs in small, artificial water containers.
Physical Description
Adult Mosquitoes are small, $1/8$ to $1/4$ inch long.
- **Appearance (Key ID):** Distinctive **black and white (banded)** legs and body. The Asian Tiger Mosquito (*A. albopictus*) has a single, pronounced **white stripe** running down the center of its thorax.
- **Behavior (Key ID):** Aggressive, persistent, and primarily active during the **daytime and twilight** hours. They typically fly low to the ground and do not travel far from their breeding source.
- **Breeding Site:** Lay eggs just above the waterline in small, artificial containers (tires, buckets, pet dishes, plant trays).
- **Conflict:** Severe disease transmission and aggressive biting nuisance.
Distribution and Habitat
Tiger Mosquitoes are highly invasive and found across the tropical, subtropical, and increasingly temperate regions of the world. Their habitat is peridomestic (near human dwellings) due to their reliance on artificial containers for breeding.
Behavior and Conflict
The conflict is dominated by public health risk and rapid spread.
- **Aggressive Daytime Biting:** Their activity during peak human outdoor hours increases the likelihood of human-mosquito contact and disease transmission.
- **Container Breeders:** Their ability to breed in tiny, artificial water sources makes them difficult to control via traditional wetland management.
- **Durable Eggs:** Their eggs can survive desiccation (drying out) for months, allowing them to be transported globally on trade goods (e.g., used tires) and hatch when re-wetted.
Management and Prevention
Control is integrated pest management (IPM), centered on eliminating breeding sources.
- **Dump and Drain:** **Eliminate all standing water sources** in and around the property (buckets, clogged gutters, tires, bromeliads). This is the single most effective control method.
- **Cover:** Tightly cover water storage containers (rain barrels).
- Apply biological larvicides (e.g., *Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis* – Bti) to necessary water sources that cannot be drained (e.g., ornamental ponds).
- Use effective mosquito repellents (containing DEET or Picaridin) during daytime outdoor activities.
Conservation and Research
Tiger Mosquitoes are managed as high-priority public health pests. Research focuses on genetic control methods (e.g., releasing sterile or *Wolbachia*-infected males), improving surveillance, and developing new, effective chemical controls.