Asian Tiger Mosquito Invasive Species

A native of Southeast the

Asian Tiger Mosquito Invasive Species

coined its name due to their distant spots and white stripes is spreading throughout the world and is has been a health concern in Europe. They have been traveling in used tires throughout the world leaving the most ideal means of reproduction throughout the world.

In fact, this case is but another example of the problems caused by Asian tiger mosquito invasive species .  It is also an example of the madness that makes us move products from place to place on the planet without any control and foresight, our modern society is leading to business objectives so anxious that they are never able to look beyond of immediate profit, usually has consequences, sometimes surprising, often unpredictable, in many areas.  Ecological consequences original destabilizing ecosystems, causing serious economic issues, health concerns transmitting disease to humans or pets.  This little insect, whose natural habitat is the rainforests of Asia, has a characteristic appearance and a painful bite that swells and persists much longer than native mosquitoes that cause.  Unlike others, the Asian tiger mosquito is diurnal and is extremely aggressive with our species and can do a single attack or in small groups.

Once introduced into an area, is able to carry forward their progeny in any area containing standing water, however small in size. Thus, deposits its eggs in the water in cans and abandoned household containers, tires, water troughs, temporary ponds, and the list goes on. In fact, even the lack of water or cold are serious obstacles to this species, because the eggs resist desiccation and can withstand dormant months (in a state of diapause). Each female lays between 40 and 80 eggs. These insects can complete a generation between ten and twenty days if the temperature is benevolent. As already mentioned, this quite simply represents a new case of invasion by a foreign species. Unfortunately, these cases are increasingly common due to human transport, this time unintended, although not always the case. More and more plant and animal species introduced for hunting, for exploitation in the fur industry or food for ornamental purposes or simply as pets, regardless of the often catastrophic consequences that occur on native ecosystems when are released or escape and become acclimated.

The first individuals of the pernicious mosquito were found on the European continent of Albania, in 1979, from China. They are currently distributed throughout the Balkans, Hungary, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, France and Spain. In the rest of the world they are advancing steadily and quickly: they have arrived in North America (so far up to 26 U.S. states), Mexico, all of Central America, South America (Colombia, Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina ) and the Middle East (Israel).

At the moment, in the strictest logic this new potential mosquito transmitter is only transmitting the same diseases as the local mosquitoes. But the mere mention of some tropical diseases transmitted in their places of origin: dengue, yellow fever or encephalitis, make your hair stand on end and can cause panic.

If it is true that in Europe the risk of transmission to humans of the mentioned diseases is minimal, not having been a case so far, it is nevertheless also transmitted viral diseases of animals, because man is not the only host. And is that the mosquito is so adapted to survive in any medium, which not only bites mammals, but also makes birds, reptiles and even amphibians.

These studies also indicate that the Asian tiger mosquito invasive species is a perfect ecosystem in the housing, as it has plenty of gardens and the insect takes every container of water left to die, to reproduce, not to speak of paradise for this mosquito is any ornamental pond or fountain. A simple toy, ashtray or any bucket, vase or pot dish on which rain falls or irrigation, offers an opportunity not to miss this troublesome invasive species. A species that is becoming a paradigm of what has been called globalization and biodiversity.

Asian Tiger Mosquito Habitat

For the

Asian Tiger Mosquito Habitat

(Aedes albopictus) it is more tropical for this exotic species native to Asia with its distinctive long legs and spotted and stripped body will usually produce some 40-80 eggs, which take several weeks to reach the adult stage. Egg-laying usually takes place in containers with water, such as rainwater and thrive in areas with abundant water. Like the common mosquito that bites humans, but unlike the latter only their day-night hiding in the vegetation, and its sting is able to penetrate the clothing.

These Diptera rarely fly beyond 300-500 feet, so it is speculated that the Asian Tiger Mosquito enters countries via the international transport of used tires, an ideal medium for this insect while also they also collect decaying plant matter and water.

In general, all mosquitoes need water to survive, because the first three phases of development carried out in the water and only the last (adult) in the air. In the case of the Asian tiger mosquito habitat is the Asian rainforests.

Currently the presence of the Asian tiger mosquito is found in rural and urban areas, both in public and in homes. In urban areas where one can easily proliferate vases from cemeteries in a pot where rain falls, a fountain, a pond etc.

On the one hand their bite is one of the things that makes this mosquito because they are more lasting and painful, and can cause great inflammation, which can sometimes trigger allergic reactions. Moreover, and herein lies the main danger of the Asian tiger mosquito may be the vector transmitting diseases (dengue and yellow fever). So far, this risk is theoretical, but no longer present.

The timing of this mosquito activity extends from May to November, and its further expansion in September, at which time complete their life cycle in just 10 days.

To exterminate this insect have several therapeutic tools, including the metallic copper and a bacterium (Bacillus thurigensis). Among the most basic recommendations to end this, is to cover ponds and water tanks cover with mosquito nets and regularly empty containers filled with water and also plug the holes in trees where they store. Careful use of pesticides especially DEET (which has been banned in many counties), since this will not solve the problem and will create new ones.

Nevertheless, because of the Asian tiger mosquito habitat they are spreading extremely rapidly because it has a high adaptability to the point that even the lack of water or cold can end their existence, as the eggs are able to withstand desiccation.

Asian Tiger Mosquito

The

Asian Tiger Mosquito

(Aedes albopictus) is a species of Diptera Nematocera belonging to the Culicidae family. It is characterized by its black color with white decorated chest and abdomen, the are legs black with white bands and a characteristic central longitudinal white line on the chest and head. It has a length of between about 1/8 inch (5 and 10 mm). Like other species of mosquito, the female has a long and slender tube, the proboscis, which is like a pen, used to bite and draw blood of vertebrates, especially mammals and birds, which uses for egg development. Males of the species, like that of other mosquitoes feed on nectar.

Ecologically the larvae of this species is in containers where there are small amounts of water that are in shady places such as jars, buckets, vases, plant saucers and other objects containing water in gardens, yards, vacant lots, and water-filled cavities in trees. In our environment the mosquito systematically exploits the human source water for reproduction. Their sting, even through thin clothing like socks, it is very annoying. The other thing with the Asian Tiger Mosquito is that they come out and sting in daylight hours when many native species do not usually bite.

The Asian Tiger Mosquito is an invasive species native to Southeast Asia, having spread throughout Africa, Europe and America since 1979 and subsequently many areas of the Pacific. Their arrival has occurred during transportation of persons or goods with remains of standing water such as used tires, or ornamental plants such as the Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana).

In endemic areas the Asain Tiger Mosquito spreads diseases like dengue in Central America, South Pacific, the yellow fever and although much less frequently than the Culex pipiens or Aedes aegypti vector can be in transmission of West Nile Virus . American studies have shown the presence of virus in the insect, that can cause disease in humans such as eastern equine encephalitis .

In the summer of 2007, an outbreak epidemic of chikungunya fever in Ravenna, Italy produced by the virus CHIKV and was spread by the bite of the Asian Tiger Mosquito. Until then, the disease had affected only tropical countries, which triggered global awareness to this pest and what it is capable of.

In countries where it has spread, the fight for its eradication is difficult and very expensive, so it is suitable to act as early as possible by raising awareness among institutions and citizens to prevent this spread. Among the actions proposed are:

• Properly manage the storage, transport processes and the recycling of used tires. This seems like it should be one of the key actions is to limit its intercontinental expansion, since they have linked the spread of mosquito routes, with the latter transport cargo worldwide.
• Avoid potential reservoirs for mosquito breeding such as containers, pots, cans or any other utensil in which the water can not be refilled at least every week.
• Insect repellents when you are outdoors, taking into account the instructions and precautions relating to the product. The ultrasonic emission devices advertised in the market are completely ineffective ‘to protect themselves from any mosquito.

The Asian Tiger Mosquito needs little in order to multiply.  By inspecting your yard especially after it rains to make sure there is no standing water will help keep them away.  If you have not seen one, consider yourself lucky because this mosquito is bold and aggressive with almost a well thought out plan going backing forth trying to figure out where to sting you – and it hurts!