Tiger mosquito: getting to know the exotic intruder

The so-called tiger mosquito has been present in our country for years. Its proliferation is caused by elements such as the increase in temperature caused by climate change and the abandonment of agricultural infrastructures. These mosquitoes are considered invaders and cause a very annoying bite. But the worst thing is that they transmit diseases such as Zika or Dengue. In this article we tell you what diseases transmitted by the tiger mosquito.

Identifying the tiger mosquito

The tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is a small insect, about the size of a penny. Its body is black with white spots and has a single white line along its back, giving it its common name. Their legs also have black and white bands, which distinguishes them from other mosquitoes.

Differences between tiger mosquitoes and other mosquitoes

Tiger mosquitoes are different from other mosquitoes in their appearance and behavior. They are more aggressive and tend to bite during the day, in contrast to other mosquitoes that prefer dusk and early morning. In addition, their flight patterns are rapid and erratic, making them more difficult to eliminate.

Origin of the tiger mosquito

The tiger mosquito is native to Southeast Asia. However, in recent decades it has spread to many other parts of the world, including Europe, the Americas and Africa.

Life cycle of tiger mosquitoes

The life cycle of the tiger mosquito consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Eggs are deposited in standing water, where larvae and pupae develop. In warmer climates, the life cycle can be completed in as little as one week.

Feeding habits of tiger mosquitoes

Like other mosquitoes, only female tiger mosquitoes bite, as they need blood protein to produce their eggs. Males, on the other hand, feed on nectar and other plant juices.

Is the tiger mosquito already among us?

It has been years since the first mosquito colony was detected in Catalonia in 2004. Aedes Albopictus on the peninsula. The tiger mosquito thus made its presence felt in the country and, since then, its growth has been exponential, reaching practically the entire country. and even commonly cold areas such as Asturias, Euskadi and Galicia..

The rise in temperatures due to the climate change and the abandonment of agricultural areas that easily become waterlogged when it rains or by irrigation, creates perfect ponds for these insects to proliferate. They make it the ideal habitat for them to subsist in the face of climatic adversities such as winter.

Since their appearance, many people are already warning about the bites of these mosquitoes, which are very common. more aggressive than the common mosquito. Also the increase of diseases commonly considered tropical and transmitted by these mosquitoes such as Zika, dengue or yellow fever.

4 diseases transmitted by tiger mosquitoes 

Cases of tropical diseases are becoming more and more frequent in our country. It is enough for a mosquito with the virus or bacteria to bite a person to transmit the disease.

Where there are more cases is in places where there is water tightness, but also those areas located closer to the coast, where there is more humidity and many people to sting.

Here are 4 diseases considered tropical and transmitted by the tiger mosquito.

Chikungunya

It is a viral disease whose origin is located in the lands of Mozambique and Tanzania. It is usually transmitted by the bites from mosquitoes of the Aedes familyTherefore, the tiger mosquito can transmit it.

Chikunguya, in the local language of its origin, Maconde, means "twisted gait". Its name is due to the fact that the affected people writhe in painIt affects the head and joints, also causing fever. 

In Europe, the majority of cases of this disease (as with Zika and dengue fever) are imported. Although there are situations such as the one that occurred in Italy in 2017 where there were 14 autochthonous cases in the country. In general, it is not a serious disease, but it is annoying.

Zika 

Although the origin of this disease is of African origin, it is widely distributed due to the globalization of the tropicsCases may appear in South America and Asia.

It presents symptoms such as joint pains, fever and conjunctivitis. On the plus side, they are short-lived. However, it can be a real danger to pregnant womenThe disease can cause microcephaly in the newborn with the consequence of physical and psychological impairment.

Dengue 

It is transmitted, above all, by the Aedes Aegyptibut also by the tiger mosquito. The symptoms are similar to those of a flu or stomach virusIt is associated with fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, rash and vomiting. 

However, with more severe disease, severe bleeding leading to death can occur. There are already autochthonous cases in France, Portugal, Italy and Croatia, among others. In Spain, for the moment, it is considered an imported disease with a risk of becoming worrisome on the Mediterranean coast.

Yellow fever 

It was a common disease in Catalonia and the Levant for centuries due to sailors, although it is of tropical origin. The tiger mosquito can transmit it and can be present again in our country. 

This disease has a mortality higher than 50% in misdiagnosed cases and is considered serious, as it has no cure. Although there is a preventive vaccine which is effective up to 99% from the tenth day of vaccination.

After reading this article, there is no doubt that the tiger mosquito is a problem due to the diseases it can transmit. Therefore, it is always important to take preventive actions to avoid its spread near our homes and protect ourselves from its bites as much as we can. In our blog, you can find more information about the tiger mosquito, how to get protection against this insect and how to prevent them from entering the housethus preventing the possible transmission of diseases.