Posts tagged: tiger

Asian Tiger Mosquito Pictures

Many people are used to the common mosquito (Culex pipiens) that can be seen throughout the world, but now there is a new critter in town so if you have never seen them, check out the

Asian Tiger Mosquito Pictures

to see what they look like.

Although there are over three thousand different types of mosquitoes, there is a distinct difference between the more common mosquito and the Asian Tiger Mosquito.  The common mosquito also from the Culicidae family with the female being blood feeding, is all one color and they like to come out during the evening for a bite to eat.

The females are more of a threat since they are vectors looking to feed from humans and other  warm blooded animals, leaving the possibility of spreading diseases.

Now with the Asian Tiger Mosquito, they have distinctive markings and could care less what time of day it happens to be.  If you have never seen one in person, well let me tell you, it is easy to tell them apart from the more common mosquito.  Even they look more like a zebra, their tiger like stripes will have you curious as to what type of creature this is.

If you are into insets, you will find this to be a truly interesting looking mosquito.  Besides looking different, they move differently as well.  Here I was standing outside and there she was checking me out.  Buzzing back and forth in front of me, it was like watching an Olympian ping-pong match.  She was sizing me up where she was going to attack.  When I saw her coming in for the kill, I swatted at her not to kill, just to get her away from me.  Then, before I realized it, the little, well female mosquito stung me on my wrist!

Normally I can handle a sting, but that one hurt!  Then I was shocked because it was 10am and I was really surprised to see it buzzing around.  Since I do not live in the tropics I was even more shocked to see it in my front yard.

To make things worse, one entered my home.  I have a tan couch and saw her land.  Startled, I got up to get my camera, I wanted to record how fast this thing moves, but it was gone when I got back.  She has since become an unwelcome member of my household.

They love humidity and standing water.  So it is highly recommended to remove anything that will accumulate water or create a puddle, even a small one.  The United States has undergone tremendous continuous rain and they are thriving in this climate.

This mosquito has the ability to adapt to cooler and cold climates so you may not get a break when the weather changes.  You may be wondering where they are in comparison to where you live or are going.  Here is a map that indicates in blue and green where they have taken up residence. They are also steadily heading west in the United States and have recently been spotted in California, so this map will change very soon.  So if you see where you live is highlighted on the map don’t be surprised if one comes to visit because the Asian Tiger Mosquito is moving into your neighborhood.

Asian Tiger Mosquito Traps

If you are considering

Asian Tiger Mosquito Traps

then some to consider is that the adult tiger mosquito is about 1/8 inch long.  It is black with white stripes on its legs and body so it can not be mistaken with other mosquitoes.

There have been many problems caused by the Asian Tiger Mosquito. Overseas, the Asian Tiger Mosquito spreads disease, and it may spread diseases such as West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis in the U.S.

Personal Protection

  • Apply insect repellants according to the label directions.
  • Avoid the outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, from dusk to dawn.
  • Wear light-colored garments that cover your arms and legs, especially when you have to be outside between dusk and dawn.  One thing to note, the Asian Tiger Mosquito can sting through clothing, but wearing light colors (besides yellow, they like yellow) will let you see them when they land.

Ways to control the mosquito is by using less toxic products is essential to maintain the level of mosquitoes in Florida, Southeast Asia and Latin America within acceptable levels. The global control of malaria in 2010 required millions of dollars for spraying and insecticide nets.  Everyone needs to buckle down, these mosquitoes are here to stay since the Asian tiger mosquito invasive species can withstand the different seasons.

Researchers are developing alternative methods of mosquito control, some of which are presented here:

  • RNA interference
    RNA-based insecticides kill – yet to find a formula to spray them in large quantities.

    • Sterilization of males
      If you enter in sufficient quantity, the sterile males can slow down. In the early eighties, the screwworm was eradicated in the United States with this method: the pupae were irradiated and transformed into sterile males were released until the species became extinct.
      There have been no field tests with sufficient evidence this will work with mosquitoes.
    • Improved Chemical
      Mosquitoes are becoming resistant to existing insecticides that act on the nervous system. Researchers are looking for agents using other mechanisms, including natural products such as cedar oil.
      Outstanding basic research to find products and modes of action.
    • Traps
      In 2003, researchers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture almost completely eliminated Aedes taeniorhynchus in a Florida island with traps that generate carbon dioxide to attract mosquitoes.
      Good for gardens or small islands, but probably not feasible on a larger scale.

There are many interesting theories for Asian Tiger Mosquito Traps to be considered, but there is substantial cost that has to be considered.  If the spread of disease can be eliminated, then there would be no need to eliminate them since every creature has its place in the ecosystem.

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.