TigerWatch: How to ID the Asian Tiger Mosquito and Submit Photos

An Aedes albopicus mosquito is primarily black with stark white markings throughout its body. To the naked eye, the somewhat rare Ae. albopictus is hard to differentiate from Ae. japonicus, a common species found across Massachusetts.

How to Tell the Difference

Legs: Its legs are black with white bands, giving it a striped appearance. The last section on its hind legs are white.

Thorax: The thorax has a prominent white strip running down the center.

Palps: The tips of its palps are white.

Behavior: Known as an aggressive day-biter, Ae. albopictus mosquitoes are one of the few species that will feed in the direct sunlight.

Habitat: Ae. albopictus typcially breed in discarded tires, brid baths, clogged gutters, and other artificial containers. Even a small amount of water, such as a teaspoon, can be sufficient for them to breed.

The CDC photo above shows a female Ae. albopictus feeding on a human. Notice the starkly contrasting white markings on its body. The palps, located above the proboscis, have white tips – a key feature that seperates Ae. albopictus from Ae. japonicus.

Photo Submission

Photos should include the entire mosquito, including the hind legs.Close-ups photos of the head, specifically the short palps located above the proboscis are helpful.

Please send all specimen photos to john.c.briggs@mass.gov, along with information regarding when and where the specimen was found.

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