The white mosquito, also known as the Asian tiger mosquito, gets its name from the white stripes it has on its body. The specimen's population is hard to control because of its ability to withstand insecticide. In the late 1980s, the bug was most commonly reported as the top nuisance mosquito in parts of southern United States. Does this Spark an idea?
Origin
The white mosquito was discovered in Texas in 1985. One year later in a Florida tire dump near Jacksonville, another specimen was found. Now the species has spread throughout eastern United States, spanning all of Florida and 26 states. As the white mosquito continued to spread, the yellow fever mosquito has dwindled. Scientists believe the decline in yellow fever is because of matings between the species, parasites brought by the white mosquito and competition between the species for larval habitat.
Appearance
The white mosquito can be recognized by their black shiny scales and silver scales. They also have a white stripe through the center of their body that begins at the head and runs along the thorax. Each mosquito is approximately 2 to 10 mm long and males are approximately 20 percent smaller than females. The mosquitoes can be found throughout the year in tropical and subtropical habitats and have spread to most of the southern states.
Reproduction
Unlike most species, the white mosquito doesn't need blood to lay its eggs, which can survive without hatching for up to one year. The eggs hatch once the rain falls and the water level rises. Some eggs requires to be submerged by the rain several times before they hatch. The larvae feed on organic matter in water. These tiny specimens are known as wigglers. The wigglers periodically surface to breath air.
Health
The mosquito is known in Asia for carrying diseases and has continued its infamy in the United States, carrying LaCross encephalitis, the West Nile virus, eastern equine encephalitis, Cache Valley virus and dengue. Scientists estimate approximately 30 viruses can be transmitted through the mosquito. It is difficult to know whether you are being bit or have been bit by the mosquito because its bite doesn't irritate the skin as much as the bite of most mosquitoes.
Tags: white mosquito, United States, between species, yellow fever