Mosquito and mosquita (from the Spanish_languagemeaning DiminutiveFlyAnswers.com) is a common Insectin the Family_(biology) Culicidae (from the Latinculex meaning midge or gnatAnswers.com). Mosquitoes resemble Crane_fly(family Tipulidae) and Chironomidae(family Chironomidae), with which they are sometimes confused by the casual observer.

Mosquitoes go through four stages in their life cycle: Egg_(biology), Larva, Pupa, and adult or Imago. Adult females lay their eggs in water, which can be a salt-marsh, a lake, a puddle, a natural reservoir on a plant, or an artificial water container such as a plastic bucket. The first three stages are aquatic and last 5--14 days, depending on the species and the ambient temperature; eggs hatch to become Larva, then Pupa. The adult mosquito emerges from the pupa as it floats at the water surface. Adult females can live up to a month --- more in captivity --- but most probably do not live more than 1--2 weeks in nature.

Mosquitoes have Mouthpartswhich are adapted for piercing the skin of plants and animals. They typically feed on nectar and plant juices. In some species, the female needs to obtain nutrients from a "blood meal" before she can produce eggs.

There are about 3,500 species of mosquitoes found throughout the world. In some species of mosquito, the females feed on humans, and are therefore Vector_(epidemiology) for a number of infectious diseases affecting millions of people per year.Larva File:Anopheles_larve.jpgAnopheleslarva from southern Germany, about 8 mm long

Mosquito larvae have a well-developed head with mouth brushes used for feeding, a large Thoraxwith no legs and a segmented Abdomen.

Larvae breathe through Spiraclelocated on the eighth abdominal segment, or through a siphon, and therefore must come to the surface frequently. The larvae spend most of their time feeding on Algae, Bacteria, and other microorganisms in the surface http://wiki.answers.com/w/index.php?title=Microlayer&action=edit&redlink=1. They dive below the surface only when disturbed. Larvae swim either through Marine_propulsionwith the mouth brushes, or by jerky movements of the entire body, giving them the common name of "wigglers" or "wrigglers".

Larvae develop through four stages, or Instar, after which they Metamorphosisinto Pupae. At the end of each instar, the larvae molt, shedding their exoskeleton, or skin, to allow for further growth.

The pupa is comma-shaped, as in Anopheles when viewed from the side, and is commonly called a "tumbler". The head and Thoraxare merged into a Cephalothoraxwith the abdomen curving around underneath. As with the larvae, pupae must come to the surface frequently to breathe, which they do through a pair of respiratory trumpets on the cephalothorax. However, pupae do not feed during this stage. After a few days, the pupa rises to the water surface, the dorsal surface of the cephalothorax splits and the adult mosquito emerges.The pupa is less active than larvae.

The duration from egg to adult varies considerably among species and is strongly influenced by ambient temperature. Mosquitoes can develop from egg to adult in as little as five days but usually take 10--14 days in tropical conditions. The variation of the body size in adult mosquitoes depends on the density of the larval population and food supply within the breeding water. Adult flying mosquitoes frequently rest in a tunnel that they build right below the roots of the grass.

Adult mosquitoes usually mate within a few days after emerging from the pupal stage. In most species, the males form large Swarm, usually around dusk, and the females fly into the swarms to mate.

Males live for about a week, feeding on Nectarand other sources of Sugar. Females will also feed on sugar sources for energy but usually require a blood meal for the development of eggs. After obtaining a full blood meal, the female will rest for a few days while the blood is digested and eggs are developed. This process depends on the temperature but usually takes 2--3 days in tropical conditions. Once the eggs are fully developed, the female lays them and resumes host seeking.

The cycle repeats itself until the female dies. While females can live longer than a month in captivity, most do not live longer than 1--2 weeks in nature. Their lifespan depends on temperature, humidity, and also their ability to successfully obtain a blood meal while avoiding host defenses.

Length of the adult varies but is rarely greater than 16 mm (0.6 in)Answers.com, and weight up to 2.5 Milligram(0.04 Grain_(measure)). All mosquitoes have slender bodies with three sections: Head, Thoraxand Abdomen.

The Headis specialized for acquiring sensory information and for feeding. The head contains the eyes and a pair of long, many-segmented Antenna_(biology). The antennae are important for detecting host odors as well as odors of breeding sites where females lay eggs. In all mosquito species, the Antenna_(biology) of the males in comparison to the females are noticeably bushier and contain auditory receptors to detect the characteristic whine of the female. The Compound_eyesare distinctly separated from one another. Their larvae only possess a pit-eye ocellus. The compound eyes of adults develop in a separate region of the head.Answers.comNew ommatidia are added in semicircular rows at the rear of the eye; during the first phase of growth, this leads to individual ommatidia being square, but later in development they become hexagonal. The hexagonal pattern will only become visible when the carapace of the stage with square eyes is molted.Answers.comThe head also has an elongated, forward-projecting "stinger-like" proboscis used for feeding, and two sensory palps. The maxillary palps of the males are longer than their proboscis whereas the females' maxillary palps are much shorter. (This is typical for representatives of Subfamilies.) As with many members of the mosquito family, the female is equipped with an elongated proboscis that she uses to collect Bloodto feed her eggs.

The Thoraxis specialized for locomotion. Three pairs of legs and a pair of wings are attached to the thorax. The Insect_wingis an outgrowth of the exoskeleton. The Anopheles mosquito can fly for up to four hours continuously at up to 1--2 km/hAnswers.comtravelling up to 12 km (7.5 mi) in a night.

The Abdomenis specialized for food digestion and egg development. This segmented body part expands considerably when a female takes a blood meal. The blood is digested over time serving as a source of Proteinfor the production of eggs, which gradually fill the Abdomen.

Both male and female mosquitoes are Nectar_sourceFluid_feeder, but the females of many species are also capable of Hematophagy(drinking blood). Females do not require blood for their own survival, but they do need supplemental substances such as protein and iron to develop eggs. In regards to Host_(biology) location, Carbon_dioxideand organic substances produced from the host, humidity, and optical recognition play important roles. In Aedes the search for a host takes place in two phases. First, the mosquito exhibits a nonspecific searching behavior until the perception of host stimulants then it follows a targeted approach.Answers.com

Most mosquito species are Crepuscular(Dawnor Dusk) feeders. During the heat of the day most mosquitoes rest in a cool place and wait for the evenings, although they may still bite if disturbed. Some species, like Asian_tiger_mosquito, are known to fly and feed during daytime. File:Mosquito_on_Flower.JPGBoth male and female are nectar feeders

Mosquitoes are adept at infiltration and have been known to find their way into residences via deactivated air conditioning units.Answers.com

Prior to and during blood feeding, they inject saliva into the bodies of their source(s) of blood. This saliva serves as an Anticoagulant: without it, the female mosquito's proboscis would quickly become clogged with blood clots. Female mosquitoes hunt their blood host by detecting Carbon_dioxide(CO2) and 1-Octen-3-olfrom a distance.

Mosquitoes of the genus Toxorhynchitesnever drink blood.Answers.comThis Genusincludes the largest extant mosquitoes, the larvae of which prey on the larvae of other mosquitoes. These mosquito eaters have been used in the past as mosquito control agents, with varying success.Answers.com

In order for the mosquito to obtain a blood meal it must circumvent the Vertebratephysiological responses. The mosquito, as with all blood-feeding Arthropods, has mechanisms to effectively block the Hemostasissystem with their saliva, which contains a mixture of secreted proteins. Mosquito saliva negatively affects Vascular_constriction, Blood_clotting, Plateletaggregation, Angiogenesisand Immunity_(medical) and creates Inflammation.Answers.comUniversally, hematophagous arthropod saliva contains at least one anticlotting, one anti-platelet, and one vasodilatory substance. Mosquito saliva also contains enzymes that aid in sugar feedingAnswers.comand Antimicrobial_agentsto control bacterial growth in the sugar meal.Answers.comThe composition of mosquito saliva is relatively simple as it usually contains fewer than 20 dominant Proteins.Answers.comDespite the great strides in knowledge of these molecules and their role in bloodfeeding achieved recently, scientists still cannot ascribe functions to more than half of the molecules found in Arthropodsaliva.Answers.comOne promising application is the development of anti-clotting drugs based on saliva molecules, which might be useful for approaching heart-related disease, because they are more user-friendly blood clotting inhibitors and capillary dilators.Answers.com

It is now well recognized that the feeding ticks, sandflies, and, more recently, mosquitoes have an ability to modulate the Immune_responseof the animals (hosts) they feed on.Answers.comThe presence of this activity in vector saliva is a reflection of the inherent overlapping and interconnected nature of the host Hemostaticand Immunologicalresponses and the intrinsic need to prevent these host defenses from disrupting successful feeding. The mechanism for mosquito saliva-induced alteration of the host immune response is unclear, but the data has become increasingly convincing that such an effect occurs. Early work described a factor in saliva that directly suppresses TNF-α release, but not antigen-induced Histaminesecretion, from activated Mast_cells.Answers.comExperiments by Cross et al. (1994) demonstrated that the inclusion of Ae. aegypti mosquito saliva into naïve cultures led to a suppression of Interleukin(IL)-2 and IFN-γ production, while the cytokines IL-4and IL-5are unaffected by mosquito saliva.Answers.comCellular proliferation in response to IL-2 is clearly reduced by prior treatment of cells with SGE.Answers.comCorrespondingly, activated Splenocyteisolated from mice fed upon by either Ae. aegypti or Cx. pipiens mosquitoes produce markedly higher levels of IL-4 and IL-10concurrent with suppressed IFN-γ production.Answers.comUnexpectedly, this shift in cytokine expression is observed in splenocytes up to 10 days after mosquito exposure, suggesting that natural feeding of mosquitoes can have a profound, enduring, and systemic effect on the immune response.Answers.com

T_cellpopulations are decidedly susceptible to the suppressive effect of mosquito saliva, showing enhanced mortality and decreased division rates.Answers.comParallel work by Wasserman et al. (2004) demonstrated that T- and B-cellproliferation was inhibited in a dose dependent manner with concentrations as low as 1/7th of the saliva in a single mosquito.Answers.comDepinay et al. (2005) observed a suppression of antibody-specific T cell responses mediated by mosquito saliva and dependent on mast cells and IL-10 expression.Answers.comA recent study suggests that mosquito saliva can also decrease expression of Interferon−α/β during early mosquito-borne virus infection.Answers.comThe contribution of type I interferons (IFN) in recovery from infection with viruses has been demonstrated in vivo by the therapeutic and prophylactic effects of administration of IFN-inducers or IFN,Answers.comand recent research suggests that mosquito saliva exacerbates West_Nile_virusinfection,Answers.comas well as other mosquito-transmitted viruses.Answers.com

Two important events in the life of female mosquitoes are egg development and blood digestion. After taking a blood meal the midgut of the female synthesizes proteolytic enzymes that hydrolyze the blood proteins into free amino acids. These are used as building blocks for the synthesis of egg yolk proteins.

In the mosquito Anopheles stephensi Liston, trypsin activity is restricted entirely to the posterior midgut lumen. No trypsin activity occurs before the blood meal, but activity increases continuously up to 30 hours after feeding, and subsequently returns to baseline levels by 60 hours. Aminopeptidase is active in the anterior and posterior midgut regions before and after feeding. In the whole midgut, activity rises from a baseline of approximately 3 enzyme units (EU) per midgut to a maximum of 12 EU at 30 hours after the blood meal, subsequently falling to baseline levels by 60 hours. A similar cycle of activity occurs in the posterior midgut and posterior midgut lumen, whereas aminopeptidase in the posterior midgut epithelium decreases in activity during digestion. Aminopeptidase in the anterior midgut is maintained at a constant low level, showing no significant variation with time after feeding. alpha-glucosidase is active in anterior and posterior midguts before and at all times after feeding. In whole midgut homogenates, alpha-glucosidase activity increases slowly up to 18 hours after the blood meal, then rises rapidly to a maximum at 30 hours after the blood meal, whereas the subsequent decline in activity is less predictable. All posterior midgut activity is restricted to the posterior midgut lumen. Depending upon the time after feeding, greater than 25% of the total midgut activity of alpha-glucosidase is located in the anterior midgut. After blood meal ingestion, proteases are active only in the posterior midgut. Trypsin is the major primary hydrolytic protease and is secreted into the posterior midgut lumen without activation in the posterior midgut epithelium. Aminopeptidase activity is also luminal in the posterior midgut, but cellular aminopeptidases are required for peptide processing in both anterior and posterior midguts. Alpha-glucosidase activity is elevated in the posterior midgut after feeding in response to the blood meal, whereas activity in the anterior midgut is consistent with a nectar-processing role for this midgut region.Answers.com

While many species are native to tropical and subtropical regions, some such as Aedeshave successfully adapted to cooler regions. In the warm and humid tropical regions, they are active the entire year long; however, in temperate regions they hibernate over winter. Eggs from strains in the Temperate_zoneare more tolerant to the cold than ones from warmer regions.Answers.comAnswers.comThey can even tolerate snow and temperatures under freezing. In addition, adults can survive throughout winter in suitable microhabitats.Answers.com

Over large distances the worldwide distribution is carried out primarily through sea routes, in which the eggs, larvae, and pupae in combination with water-filled used tires and cut flowers are transported around. As with sea transport, the transport of mosquitoes in personal vehicles, delivery trucks, and trains plays an important role.

Main articles: Mosquito-borne_diseaseand Life-threatening_disease

Mosquitoes are a Vector_(epidemiology) agent that carries disease-causing Virusand Parasitefrom person to person without catching the disease themselves.

The principal mosquito borne diseases are the viral diseases Yellow_fever, Dengue_feverand Chikungunya, transmitted mostly by the Aedes_aegypti, and Malariacarried by the genus Anopheles. Though originally a public health concern, HIVis now thought to be almost impossible for mosquitoes to transmit.Answers.com

Mosquitoes are estimated to transmit disease to more than 700 million people annually in Africa, South America, Central America, Mexico and much of Asia with millions of resulting deaths. At least 2 million people annually die of these diseases.

Methods used to prevent the spread of disease, or to protect individuals in areas where disease is endemic include Vector_controlaimed at Mosquito_control, disease prevention, using prophylactic drugs and developing vaccines and prevention of mosquito bites, with Insecticides, Mosquito_netand Insect_repellent. Since most such diseases are carried by "elderly" females, scientists have suggested focusing on these to avoid the evolution of resistance.Answers.com

Main article: Mosquito_control

There are many methods used for mosquito control. Depending on the situation, source reduction, biocontrol, Insecticides to kill Larvicide, or specifically the adults may be used to manage mosquito populations.

These techniques are accomplished using habitat modification, such as removing stagnant water and other breeding areas, Pesticidelike DDT, natural predators, (eg Dragonflies, larvae-eating fish), and trapping.

With increasing reports of the harmful effects DEEThas on humans, there has been a gradual move to rely on repellents that are devoid of it, specifically to repellents that are organic and otherwise are of the kind that have had traditional household purposes prior to their becoming used now more often as mosquito repellents.Answers.com

The Dragonflynymph eats mosquitoes at all stages of development and is quite effective in controlling populations.Answers.comAlthough Batand Purple_Martincan be prodigious consumers of insects, many of which are pests, less than 1% of their diet typically consists of mosquitoes. Neither bats nor Purple Martins are known to control or even significantly reduce mosquito populations.Answers.comSome MesocyclopsCopepodsare predators on first instar larvae, killing up to 40 Aedes larvae per day.Answers.comLarval Toxorhynchitesmosquitoes are known as natural predators of other Culicidae. Each larva can eat an average of 10 to 20 mosquito larvae per day. During its entire development, a Toxorhynchites larva can consume an equivalent of 5,000 larvae of the first instar (L1) or 300 fourth instar larvae (L4) (Steffan & Evenhuis, 1981; Focks, 1982). However, Toxorhynchites can consume all types of prey, organic debris (Steffan & Evenhuis, 1981), or even exhibit cannibalistic behavior. A number of fish are also known to consume mosquito larvae, including Bass_(fish), Bluegill, Piranha, Catfish, Fathead_minnow, the Mosquitofish(Gambusia affinis), Goldfish, Guppy, and Killifish.

Bacillus_thuringiensis_israelensishas also been used to control them as a biological agent.

Mosquito prefer some people over others. The preferential victim's sweat simply smells better than others because of the proportions of the carbon dioxide, octenol and other compounds that make up body odour Answers.com. The powerful Semiochemicalthat triggers the mosquito's keen sense of smell is Nonanal.Answers.comA large part of the mosquito's sense of smell, or olfactory system, is devoted to sniffing out human targets. Of 72 types of odour receptor on its antennae, at least 27 are tuned to detect chemicals found in perspiration.Answers.com

Visible, irritating bites are due to an Immune_systemfrom the binding of IgGand IgEAntibodiesto Antigensin the mosquito's Saliva. Some of the sensitizing antigens are common to all mosquito species, whereas others are specific to certain species. There are both immediate hypersensitivity reactions (Hypersensitivity& Hypersensitivity) and delayed hypersensitivity reactions (Type_IV_hypersensitivity) to mosquito bites (see Clements, 2000).

There are several commercially available Antipruriticmedications, including those taken orally, such as Benadryl, or topically applied Antihistamineand, for more severe cases, Corticosteroidssuch as Hydrocortisoneand Triamcinolone. Many effective Home_remedyexist, including Calamine_lotionand Vinegar. A paste of meat tenderizer containing Papainand water breaks down the proteins in the mosquito saliva. Both using a brush to scratch the area surrounding the bite and running hot water (around 49 °C) over it can alleviate itching for several hours by reducing histamine-induced skin blood flow.Answers.comOn the other hand, excessive scratching can irritate the bite and break the skin, leading to prolonged recovery and the possibility of infection or scarring.[Wikipedia:Citation_needed]

According to the "Mosquitoes" chapter in Kwaidan:_Stories_and_Studies_of_Strange_Things, by Lafcadio_Hearn(1850--1904), mosquitoes are seen in Japanese popular belief as reincarnations of the dead, condemned by the errors of their former lives to the condition of Jiki-ketsu-gaki'," or "blood-drinking Hungry_ghost."Answers.com

The oldest known mosquito with a basically modern anatomy was found in 79-million-year-old Canadian Amberfrom the Cretaceous.Answers.comAn older sister species with more primitive features was found in amber that is 90 to 100 million years old.Answers.com

Genetic analyses indicate that the Culicinae and Anophelinae clades may have diverged about 150 million years ago.Answers.comThe Old and New World Anopheles species are believed to have subsequently diverged about 95 million years ago.Answers.com

The Asian tiger mosquito or forest day mosquito(Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus), from the MosquitoFamily_(biology) Culicidae, is characterized by its Blackand WhiteStripeLeg, and small black and white Body. It is native to the tropical and subtropical areas of Southeast_Asia; however, in the past couple of decades this species has invaded many countries throughout the world through the transport of goods and increasing international travelAnswers.com. This mosquito has become a significant pest in many communities because it closely associates with humans (rather than living in wetlands), and typically flies and feeds in the daytime in additio

In 1895, a British-Australian entomologist, Frederick_A._Askew_Skuse, was the first to describe scientifically the Asian tiger mosquito, which he named Culexalbopictus (Lat. Culex "gnat, midge" and albopictus "white embroided")Answers.comAnswers.com. Later, the species was assigned to the genus Aedes(Ancient_Greekάηδής, "unpleasant" Answers.com)and referred to as Aedes albopictusAnswers.com. Like the Yellow_fever_mosquito, it belongs to the subgenus Stegomyia(gr. στέγος, "covered, roofed", referring to the scales that completely cover the dorsal surface in this Subgenus, and μυία, "fly").Answers.comIn 2004, scientists explored higher-level relationships and proposed a new classification within the Aedes genus and Stegomyia was elevated to the Genus level, making Aedes albopictus now Stegomyia albopicta. This is, however, a controversial matter, and the use of Stegomyia albopictaversus Aedes albopictus is continually debatedAnswers.comAnswers.comAnswers.com.

The Asian tiger mosquito is about 2 to 10 mm length with a striking white and black patternAnswers.comAnswers.comAnswers.com. The variation of the body size in adult mosquitoes depends on the density of the larval population and food supply within the breeding water. Since these circumstances are only seldom optimal, the average body size of adult mosquitoes is considerably smaller than 10 mm. For example, the average length of the Abdomenwas calculated to be 2.63 mm, the wings 2.7 mm, and the proboscis 1.88 mm through a study of 10 images from 1962 of both male and female mosquitoesAnswers.com.

The males are roughly 20% smaller than the females, but they are Morphology_(biology) very similar. However, as in all mosquito species, the Antenna_(biology) of the males in comparison to the females are noticeably bushier and contain auditory receptors to detect the characteristic whine of the female. The maxillary palps of the males are also longer than their proboscises whereas the females' maxillary palps are much shorter. (This is typical for the males of the Culicinae.) In addition, the tarsus of the hind legs of the males is more silvery. Tarsomere IV is roughly three-quarters silver in the males whereas the females' is only about 60% silver.

The other characteristics do not differentiate between sexes. A single silvery-white line of tight scales begins between the eyes and continues down the dorsal side of the thorax. This characteristic marking is the easiest and surest way to identify the Asian tiger mosquito.

The Proboscisis dark colored, the upper surface of the end segment of the palps is covered in silvery scales, and the Labiumdoes not feature a light line on its underside. The Compound_eyesare distinctly separated from one another. The Scutum, the dorsal portion of an insect's thoracic segment, is black alongside the characteristic white midline. On the side of the thorax, the Scutellum, and the abdomen there are numerous spots covered in white-silvery scales.

Such white-silvery scales can also be found on the tarsus, particularly on the hind legs that are commonly suspended in the air. The base of tarsomere I through IV has a ring of white scales, creating the appearance of white and black rings. On the fore legs and middle legs, only the first three tarsomeres have the ring of white scales whereas tarsomere V on the hind legs is completely white. The femur of each leg is also black with white scales on the end of the "knee". The femurs of the middle legs do not feature a silver line on the base of the upper side, whereas, the femurs on the hind legs have short white lines on base of the upper side. The Tibiaare black on the base and have no white scales.

The Tergaon segments II through VI of the abdomen are dark and have an almost triangular silvery-white marking on the base that is not aligned with the silvery bands of scales on the ventral side of the abdomen. The triangular marking and the silvery band are only aligned on abdominal segment VII. The transparent wings have white spots on the base of the Costas. With older mosquito specimens, the scales could be partially worn off making the previously mentioned characteristics not stand out as muchAnswers.comAnswers.com.

The typical Aedes albopictus individual has a length of about 2 to 10mmAnswers.com. As with other members of the mosquito family, the female is equipped with an elongated Proboscisthat she uses to collect Bloodto feed her eggs. The Asian tiger mosquito has a rapid bite that allows it to escape most attempts by people to swat it. By contrast the male member of the species primarily feeds on Nectar.

The female lays her eggs near water; not directly into it as other mosquitoes do, but typically near a Stagnant_(water) pool. However, any open container containing water will suffice for larvae development, even with less than an ounce of water in. It can also breed in running water, so stagnant pools of water are not its only breeding sites. It has a short flight range (less than 200 m), so breeding sites are likely to be close to where this mosquito is foundAnswers.com.

Some mosquitoes in North_America, such as Ochlerotatus canadensis, have a similar leg pattern.

In Europe, the mosquito,Culiseta annulata, which is very common but does not occur in high densities, can be mistaken for an Asian tiger mosquito because of its black and white ringed legs. However, this species is missing the distinctive white line that runs from the middle of its head and down the thorax. It is also considerably larger than Aedes albopictus, is not black and white, but rather beige and grey striped, and has wings with noticeable veins and four dark, indistinct spots.

In the eastern Mediterranean area, Aedes albopictusspecies can be mistaken with Aedes cretinus, which also belongs to the subgenus Stegomyia and utilizes similar breeding waters. Aedes cretinus also has a white stripe on the Scutum, but it ends shortly before the abdomen, and also has two additional stripes to the left and right of the middle stripe. So far Aedes cretinus is only located in Cyprus, Crete, Greece, Macedonia, Georgia and TurkeyAnswers.com.

In Asia, the Asian tiger mosquito can be mistaken for other members of the subgenus Stegomyia, because they frequently display a similar black and white pattern, particularly, the most prevalent species in the tropics and subtropics, the yellow fever mosquito Aedes_aegypti. It can be hard to distinguish Aedes albopictus from the closely related Aedes scutellaris (India, Indonesia, Papua_New_Guinea, and the Philippines), Aedes pseudoalbopictus (India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam) and Aedes seatoi (Thailand) Answers.comAnswers.com.

Like other mosquito species, only the females require a blood meal to develop their eggs. Apart from that, they feed on nectar and other sweet plant juices just as the males do. In regards to Host_(biology) location, Carbon_dioxideand organic substances produced from the host, humidity, and optical recognition play important roles.

The search for a host takes place in two phases. First, the mosquito exhibits a nonspecific searching behavior until the perception of host stimulants which is then followed by a targeted approach.Answers.comFor catching tiger mosquitoes with special traps, carbon dioxide and a combination of chemicals that naturally occur in human skin (Fatty_acids, Ammonia, and Lactic_acid) are the most attractiveAnswers.com.

The Asian tiger mosquito particularly bites during the day. Depending upon region and biotype there are differing active peaks but for the most part they rest during the morning and night hours. They search for their hosts inside and outside of human dwellings, but are particularly active outside. The size of the blood meal depends upon the size of the mosquito, but it is usually around 2 microliters http://wiki.answers.com/wiki/ÎœlAnswers.comAnswers.com.

Aedes albopictus also bites other Mammalsand birds besides humansAnswers.comAnswers.com. They are always on the search for a host and are both persistent and cautious when it comes to their blood meal and host location. Their blood meal is often broken off short without enough blood ingested for the development of their eggs. This is why Asian tiger mosquitoes bite multiple hosts during their development cycle of the egg, making them particularly efficient at transmitting diseases. The mannerism of biting diverse host species enables the Asian tiger mosquito to be a potential bridge vector for certain Pathogens, for example, the West_Nile_Virusthat can jump species boundaries.

Toxorhynchiteslarvae, a mosquito genus that does not suck blood, feeds upon other mosquito larvae and are often found together with tiger mosquito larvae. Flatwormsand also small swimming beetles are considered natural predatorsAnswers.com.

Primarily fungi, ciliates, paramecia, and protozoan act as parasites to Asian tiger mosquitoes. Relatives of Oomycetes, also known as water molds, from the genus Coelomomyces(PhylumChytridiomycota, Order_(biology) Blastocladiales) develop inside the visceral cavity of mosquito larvae. The species Coelomomyces stegomyiae was first found on the Asian tiger mosquitoAnswers.com. Paramecium, or ciliates, can also affect Aedes albopictus larvae and the first detected species was Lambornella stegomyiae(Hymenostomatida: Tetrahymenidae)Answers.com. The virulence, mortality rate, and subsequent possibilities of Lambornella being implemented as a biological remedy to control Aedes albopictus, however, has conflicting viewsAnswers.comAnswers.com. Sporozoansof the genus Ascogregarina (Lecudinidae) infect the larval stage of mosquitoes. The species Ascogregarina taiwanensis was described in Asian tiger mosquitoesAnswers.com. When the adult mosquitoes emerge from their pupal case, they leave the infectious intermediary stage of parasites in the water and close off the infection cycle. Infected adults are generally smaller than non-infected adults and have an insignificantly higher mortality rate; therefore, food supply and larval density apparently play a roll. In competitive situations, an infection with sporozoans can also reduce the biological fitness of other non-infected mosquitoes. However, the utilization of parasites as an effective biological remedy to control mosquito populations is implausible because it is essential that the host reaches the adult stage in order for the transmission of the parasitesAnswers.com.

Even though they do not commonly occur in the natural habitats of Asian tiger mosquitoes, predatory Copepodsfrom the Cyclopidae family seem to willingly feed on them given the opportunityAnswers.com. Relatives of different genera could therefore present an interesting possibility in the control of tiger mosquitoesAnswers.com.

Predators of adult Aedes albopictus in Malaysia include various spider species. Up to 90% of the gathered spiders from rubber plantations and a cemetery fed upon Asian tiger mosquitoes. Whether the spiders would have an effect on the mosquito population is still unclear. Tiger mosquitoes were abundantly present despite the existence of the spidersAnswers.com.

Although Aedes albopictus is native to tropical and subtropical regions, they are successfully adapting themselves to cooler regions. In the warm and humid tropical regions, they are active the entire year long, however, in temperate regions they hibernate over winter. Eggs from strains in the Temperate_zoneare more tolerant to the cold than ones from warmer regions.Answers.comAnswers.comThey can even tolerate snow and temperatures under freezing. In addition, adult tiger mosquitoes can survive throughout winter in suitable microhabitats.Answers.com

Originally, the Asian tiger mosquito comes from Southeast Asia. In 1967 parts of Asia and the island worlds of India and the Pacific Ocean were denoted as the area of circulation for the Asian tiger mosquito.Answers.comSince then, it has spread to Europe, the Americas, the Caribbean, Africa and the Middle East. Aedes albopictus is one of the 100 world's worst Invasive_speciesaccording to the Global Invasive Species Database.Answers.com

The Aedes albopictus mosquito is not native to Australiaand New_Zealand.Answers.comAnswers.comIn fact, the species was introduced there multiple times, but has yet to establish itself. This is due to the well organized entomological surveillance programs in the harbors and airports of these countries. Nevertheless, on the islands in the Torres_Straitbetween Queensland, Australia and New Guinea Aedes albopictus has become domestic.Answers.com

In Europethe Asian tiger mosquito first emerged in Albaniain 1979, where they were evidently introduced through a shipment of goods from China. In 1990/1991, they were most likely brought to Italyin used tires from Georgia (USA) and since then have spread throughout the entire mainland of Italyas well as parts of Sicilyand Sardinia. Since 1999 they have established themselves on the mainland of France, primarily southern France. In 2002, they were also discovered in a vacation town on the island of Corsica, but did not completely establish themselves there until 2005. In Belgium, they were detected for the first time in 2000, 2001in Montenegro, 2003 in Canton_Ticinoin southern Switzerlandand Greece, 2004 in Spainand Croatia, 2005 in the Netherlandsand Slovenia, and 2006 in Bosnia_and_Herzegovina.Answers.comIn the fall of 2007, the first tiger mosquito eggs were discovered in Rastatt(Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany).Answers.comShortly before, they were found in the northern Alps of Switzerland in Canton Aargau.Answers.comTwo were sighted in the UKduring the Summer of 2007, as reported by the Mail_Online. (Link is in discussion area under topic name "Asian tiger in the UK?").

Asian tiger mosquitoes were first found in North America in a shipment of used Tireat the port of Houstonin 1985. Since then they have spread across southern USA, and as far up the East Coast as Maine.Answers.comThis species is an Introduced_speciesin Hawaiias well, but has been there since before 1986.

In 1986 the Asian tiger mosquito was discovered in BrazilAnswers.comand in 1988 in Argentinaand MexicoAnswers.comas well. Other parts of Latin_Americawhere the Asian tiger mosquito was discovered are the Dominican_Republicin 1993, Bolivia, Cuba, Honduras, and Guatemalain 1995, El_Salvadorin 1996, Paraguayin 1999, Panamain 2002, and Uruguayand Nicaraguain 2003.Answers.com

In South_Africa, the species was detected in 1990.Answers.comIn Nigeriait has been domestic since at least 1991.Answers.comIt spread to Cameroonin 1999/2000,Answers.comto the Bioko Island of Equatorial Guinea in 2001,Answers.comand to Gabon in 2006.Answers.com

In the Middle East, the species was detected in the Lebanonin 2003 in Syriain 2005; the first record in Israelwas published in 2003.Answers.com

Aedes albopictus can outcompete and even eradicate other species with similar breeding habitats from the very start of its dispersal to other regions and biotopes.Answers.com

In Kolkata, for example, it was already observed in the 1950s that in city districts where the malaria mosquito (genus Anopheles) was fought off with DDTthere were also no yellow fever mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti) to be found. Nevertheless, egg depositing containers were being settled by the Asian tiger mosquitoes.Answers.comThe reason why, in this case, may be due to the fact that primarily the inner walls of the houses were treated with DDT to kill the mosquitoes resting there and fight the malaria mosquito. The yellow fever mosquito also lingers particularly in the inside of buildings and would have been also affected. The Asian tiger mosquito rests in the vicinity of human dwellings would therefore have an advantage over the other two species. In other cases, where the yellow fever mosquito was repressed by the Asian tiger mosquito, for instance in Florida, this explanation does not fit.Answers.comAnswers.comOther hypotheses include competition in the larval breeding waters, differences in metabolism and reproductive biology, or a major susceptibility to sporozoans (Apicomplexa).Answers.com

Another species, which was suppressed by the migrating Aedes albopictus was Aedes guamensis in Guam.Answers.com

The Asian tiger mosquito is similar, in terms of their close socialization with humans, to the common house mosquito (Culex_pipiens). Among other differences in their biology, Culex pipiensprefers larger breeding waters and is more tolerant to cold. In this respect, there is probably not any significant competition or suppression between the two species.Answers.com

A possible competition among mosquito species that all lay their eggs in knotholes and other similar places (Aedes cretinus, Aedes geniculatus and Anopheles plumbeus) has yet to be observed. These species, however, do not appear to favor human environments.

In Europe, the Asian tiger mosquito apparently covers an extensive new niche. This means that there are no native, long-established species that conflict with the dispersal of Aedes albopictus.

It is known that Aedes albopictus can transmit pathogens and viruses, such as, the West_Nile_Virus, Yellow_fever_virus, St._Louis_Encephalitis, Dengue_fever, and Chikungunya_feverto name a few.Answers.com

The Asian tiger mosquito was responsible for the Chikungunya epidemic on the French Island La_Réunion in 2005/2006. By September 2006, there was an estimated 266,000 people that were infected with the virus and 248 fatalities on the island.Answers.comThe Asian tiger mosquito was also the transmitter of the virus in the first and only outbreak of Chikungunya fever on the European continent. This outbreak occurred in the Italian province of Ravennain the summer of 2007, and infected over 200 people.Answers.comAnswers.comEvidently, mutated strains of the Chikungunya virus are being directly transmitted through Aedes albopictus particularly well and in such a way that another dispersal of the disease in regions with the Asian tiger mosquito is feared.Answers.com

The tiger mosquito is also relevant to veterinarian medicine. For example, the tiger mosquitoes are transmitters of Dirofilaria immitis, a parasitic round worm that causes Heartwormin dogs and cats.Answers.com

Aedes albopictus has proven to be very difficult to suppress or to control due to their remarkable ability to adapt to various environments, their close contact with humans, and their reproductive biology. File:Ovitrap-Ticino.jpgAn Ovitrap, a tool for the detection of Asian tiger mosquitoes. Their presence is confirmed through the eggs they lay on the wooden paddle. The brown granules in the water are a BTI preparation that will kill hatching mosquito larvae.

Efficient monitoring or surveillance is essential to prevent the spread and establishment of the species. In addition to the monitoring of ports, warehouses with imported plants, and stockpiles of tires, rest areas on highways and train stations should be monitored with appropriate methods.Answers.com

The control of the Asian tiger mosquito begins with destroying the places where they lay their eggs, which are never far from where people are being bitten, since this is a weak flyer, with only about a 200-yard lifetime flying radius. Locate puddles that last more than three days, sagging or plugged roof gutters, old tires holding water, litter, bird baths, inlets to sewers and drainage systems holding stagnant water and any other possible containers or pools of standing water. Flower pots, standing flower vases, knotholes and other crevices that can collect water should be filled with sand or fine gravel to prevent mosquitoes from laying their eggs in them. Litter can also hold rain water and should be removed.

Any standing water in pools, catchment basins, etc, that cannot be drained, or dumped, can be periodically treated with properly labeled insecticides or Bacillus_thuringiensis_israelensis(Bti) often formed into doughnut shaped "mosquito dunks". Bti is a Bacteriumthat produces toxins which are effective in killing larvae of mosquitoes and certain other Diptera, while having almost no effect on other organisms. Bti preparations are readily available at farm, garden, and pool suppliers.

Flowing water will not be a breeding spot and water that contains Minnowis not usually a problem, because the Fisheat the mosquito Larva. Dragonflyare also an excellent method of imposing control. Dragonfly larvae eat mosquito larvae in the water, and adults will snatch adult mosquitoes as they fly.

Insecticideapplication against adult mosquitoes has only a limited effect. Most mosquito spraying done at night will have little effect on Asian tiger mosquitoes, if the resting places are not treated. Daytime spraying may be a violation of label directions if foraging bees are present on blossoms in the application area. More importantly, larvae and the dried eggs are a reservoir from which the mosquito population will usually recover rapidly.

In any case, an efficient surveillance is essential to monitor the presence of tiger mosquitoes and the effect control programs have. So called Ovitraps are normally used for the monitoring of Aedes albopictus. They are black water containers with floating Styrofoam blocks or small wooden paddles that are in contact with the surface of the water. Female tiger mosquitoes lay their eggs on these surfaces. Through the identification of these eggs or of the larvae that hatch from these eggs in the laboratory, the presence and abundance of mosquito species can be estimated. Versions of these traps with an adhesive film (sticky traps) that catch the egg depositing mosquitoes make the analysis much easier and quicker, but are more complicated in terms of handling.Answers.comAnswers.comThe results of ovitraps are often variable and depend on the availability of alternative egg depositing waters. Due to this, it is best to use them in large numbers and in conjunction with other monitoring methods.

To date, there are few effective traps for the adult Asian tiger mosquito. Those traps that catch other species of mosquitoes do not catch tiger mosquitoes efficiently. A new trap type has now been shown to catch significant numbers of Aedes albopictus.Answers.comAnswers.comThis device, with the help of a ventilator, produces an upward air current of Ammonia, Fatty_acid, and Lactic_acidthat takes a similar form and smell of a human body. With the addition of Carbon_dioxide, the efficacy of the trap is increased. This means there is a suitable tool available for trapping adult tiger mosquitoes and, for example, examining the existence of viruses in the trapped mosquitoes. Previously, the mosquitoes had to be collected off of volunteers to be studied, which is ethically questionable especially during epidemics. Recent research also indicates that this trap type may also have a use as a control tool: in a study in Cesena, Italy, the amount of biting tiger mosquitoes was reduced in places where traps were put up.Answers.com

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n to at dusk and dawn.