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
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| 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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