Asian tiger mosquito - Aedes albopictus - Mosquito bites

Aedes albopictus (Stegomyia albopicta), from the mosquito (Culicidae) family, also known as the (Asian) tiger mosquito or forest mosquito, is a mosquito native to the tropical and subtropical areas of Southeast Asia. The adult Asian tiger mosquito is less than 10 mm (0.39 in) long from end to end with a striking white and black pattern. 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 addition to at dusk and dawn. The insect is called a tiger mosquito as it has stripes, as does a tiger. Aedes albopictus is an epidemiologically important vector for the transmission of many viral pathogens, including the yellow fever virus, dengue fever, and Chikungunya fever, as well as several filarial nematodes such as Dirofilaria immitis. This mosquito is capable of hosting the Zika virus and is considered a potential vector for Zika transmission among humans. Asian tiger Mosquitoes mating on leaves and an adult female Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) in the evening bites a human body to begin its blood meal in a forest at Tehatta, West Bengal; India on 06/11/2024.