Tiger mosquito: what is its history?
Originally from the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, the tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) has adapted to various environments, and in particular to urban areas, by colonizing a multitude of containers (vases, pots, cans, gutters, etc.) in which it lays its eggs.
The species is now established in more than 100 countries on the 5 continents. This rapid expansion, mainly linked to international trade (particularly in tires), has earned it the status of being ranked among the most invasive species in the world.
In metropolitan France, in 2020, the tiger mosquito is implanted in nearly of around sixty departments.
The tiger mosquito is silent and diurnal, that is to say, it bites more during the day (mainly in the morning and evening), while the common mosquito tends to bite more at night.
Contribute to monitoring the tiger mosquito by reporting it via the site signalement-moustique.anses.fr
By reporting the presence of a tiger mosquito, you participate in its surveillance and allow the health authorities to put in place control measures adapted to its spread on the territory.
Before reporting a tiger mosquito, you must have a photograph of the mosquito or its condition must allow identification (by sending a sample to the operator in charge of mosquito control in your region).
Once this condition has been met, to verify that you are indeed in the presence of a tiger mosquito, you will need to answer the three questions below. If necessary, you can add your report.
- is the mosquito small? The name “tiger mosquito” can indeed easily mislead. Small in size, the tiger mosquito is smaller than a 1 euro cent coin (i.e. less than 5 millimetres)!
- what is its color? Again, its name is misleading since the tiger mosquito is not yellow and black but white and black. It is also characterized by the presence of a white line along its thorax;
- does he have a stitching device? To feed, mosquitoes have a biting apparatus: a long appendage extending from the head. If the insect has no biting apparatus, then it is not a mosquito.
The Agency’s recommendations
To prevent its proliferation:
Particularly resistant and adapted to the human environment, the tiger mosquito develops preferentially in peri-urban environments as well as in very dense urban areas.
It proliferates in all kinds of containers and artificial water reservoirs: vases, pots, barrels, cans, gutters, rain drains, gutters, terraces on studs, old tires….
To prevent the proliferation of this species, it is necessary to:
- destroy spawning grounds:
- regularly empty or remove the cups under the flower pots, vases, etc. or fill them with sand in order to retain the humidity without there being any stagnant water;
- empty then turn over, or shelter from the rain, buckets, garden equipment, and miscellaneous containers;
- cover the water collection containers with a mosquito net or cloth;
- introduce fish into ornamental ponds: they will eat mosquito larvae.
- eliminate mosquito resting places:
- the tiger mosquito mainly rests in vegetation. Maintaining your garden, pruning trees, clearing hedges and tall grass, avoiding the storage of plant debris can limit the resting places of the tiger mosquito.
To protect yourself from bites:
- wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing;
- use skin repellents following the precautions for use indicated. For more information, you can also ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice;
- use mosquito nets.
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