Originated from: The native habitat of the Asian tiger mosquito is Southeast Asia. It's range extends from New Guinea west to Madagascar and north to the latitude of Seoul,Korea.

How it arrived: It is believed that the international trade of used tires between Japan and the United States in the early 1980s may have caused the mosquito to enter the country. From 1983-1985, the United States imported $4.5 billion in used tires from Japan. There is still uncertainty, however, as to when the species entered the United States. It is possible that the Asian tiger mosquito was here before its discovery.

Spread: The first recorded invasion of the Asian tiger mosquito was in 1985, when a breeding population was found in a used tire yard in Houston, Texas. In only two years, the population had already spread into 17 states. The current species range extends from Texas all along the Southern coast of the United States to the Atlantic Ocean. The range also extends as far north as Iowa. This current distribution covers 25 states. Spread of the mosquito is facilitated by the trade of used tires among states.

Damage: Possible human health effects include the transmission of the aforementioned diseases; however, there is currently no evidence outside of the laboratory that suggests the Asian tiger mosquito is transmitting these diseases in the United States.

Threat: The Asian tiger mosquito is a generalist species. For a description of this type of species, see RIFA threat. The mosquito is able to survive in a wide range of temperatures and climatic conditions, as long as there are several sources of stagnant water for breeding grounds. Therefore, the trade of tires between the United States and Asia as well as the trade of tires among states aids in the dispersal of the mosquito population. Additionally, female mosquitos hunt during all hours of the day and need only the smallest amount of water to lay their eggs. Finally, the mosquito is a quick, aggressive biter, which makes it difficult to kill with a slap of the hand.

The potential threat of the Asian tiger mosquito is grave. This species is already responsible for several deaths from infectious diseases in Southeast Asia. If the mosquito is a successful vector of these diseases in the United States, then there will be damages associated with their negative impacts on human health.

The Asian tiger mosquito is also out competing native mosquitos, which are less aggressive and less hazardous to human health.

Control: Due to the fact that there is still no connection between the Asian tiger mosquito and human disease outside of the laboratory, little is being done to control the species. Tires imported to the United States from Asia are required to be dry and free of insects, yet this standard is very loosely enforced. Only 5 percent of the tires entering the United States are inspected for the mosquito. Therefore, the main methods of control are the treatment of individual used tires, which is not very cost-effective, and night spraying of swampy areas in states such as Louisiana. Efforts can be taken on the individual level in order to decrease mosquito breeding grounds. These efforts include getting rid of any containers, no matter how small or large, that may collect rainwater, regularly changing water in swimming pools, troughs and bird baths, and keeping hedges trimmed. The New Orleans Mosquito Control Board has been researching the Asian tiger mosquito for 10 years now, but so far has been unsuccessful in controlling the population. One of their projects included attempting to breed a cannibal