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=Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes albopictus) = = =

__General Information__
These mosquitos are known by their small black and white legs along with their small black and white body. The typical Asian Tiger Mosquito has a length of about 2 to 10mm. The male and females have different sources of food as the male drinks nectar and the female needs blood.

__Life Cycle / Reproduction__
Unlike other mosquitos, the Asian tiger lays their eggs on the edge of the water. The mosquito does not need stagnant water to lay their egg. Breeding can also occur in used tires holding water in addition to tree holes, tin cans, and bottles.[1] These mosquitos can lay their eggs in any container that holds even an ounce of water. The larva will come out after the the water in the container rises to cover the eggs. Once hatched the larva will feed on the organic matter in the water for five to ten days untill they pupate. [2]

__Habitat and Distribution__
The Asian Tiger Mosquito lives mostly near shallow and still standing water. Most adults do not travel far from their birth place but if it is moved before the eggs hatch the adults may find themselves in a new country. At first they were only found in Texas but as the trade of tires grew they started to impact states on the east coast. Maryland and Ohio are two states with the biggest Asian Tiger Mosquito infection other than Texas.

__Impacts__
While the mosquito has no ecological impacts, their impacts on humans is deadly. These mosquitoes can transfer deadly diseases from one animal to another animal. Some diseases that the Asian tiger mosquito can spread are the West Nile Virus and encephalitis. Also, because of the aggressive nature of these mosquitoes they are out competing the native mosquito species which are more relaxed.[3]

__History__
As the name will imply, the Asian Tiger Mosquito came from Asian countries such as China, Japan, and Korea. Most scientists believe that the eggs of the mosquitoes came by the trading of tires where it entered the southern states. From there the mosquitoes spread out to the eastern cost in more urban areas. Sine they can live in almost any climate they can start spreading west. [3]

__Control Measures__
So far there are only two major things that keep the Asian Tiger Mosquito in control. First, The Centers for Disease Control keep a close watch on their activities since they spread deadly diseases with their bites. The Government also stepped by creating the United States' Public Health Service Act of 1988 which requires used tires shipped from countries that are home to the Asian tiger mosquito to be dry, clean, and fumigated.[3]

__Works Cited__
Lyon, William F. "Asian Tiger Mosquito." __Ohio__ __State University__ __Extension Fact Sheet__. 14 Nov. 2008 . [1]  __Asian tiger mosquito - Aedes albopictus (Skuse) __. 14 Nov. 2008 . [2]  "Asian Tiger Mosquito." __Pushy Plants and Alien Animals__. 19 Nov. 2008 . [3]