Why MI Residents Should Know About the Aggressive Asian Tiger Mosquito

As if mosquitoes weren’t already aggressive, now we have to endure one that’s even more so.

There's a mosquito now found in Michigan that hasn't even been here for a decade. It's called the Asian tiger mosquito, and it is known for being particularly aggressive and a carrier of several diseases.

The Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) was first detected in Wayne County in 2017. This nasty blood-sucking mosquito species is known for its ability to spread quickly and adapt to various environments, contributing to its presence in the state.

While the Asian tiger mosquito hasn’t been found in every Michigan county, it’s showing up more in many places, especially in the southern and southeastern parts of the state. This means it’s important for people to stay aware and take steps to reduce mosquito breeding areas and protect themselves from bites.

The Asian tiger mosquito can spread serious diseases like dengue fever, chikungunya, Zika virus, and West Nile virus. While these diseases are rare in Michigan, having this mosquito around raises the chance of them showing up, especially because of travel and changing weather.

What Do Asian Tiger Mosquitoes Look Like?

• Color: They have a unique appearance with black and white stripes on their legs and body.
• Body: Their bodies are dark with a shiny black color.
• Legs: They have white banding on their legs, which makes them stand out.
• Wings: Their wings are black with small white scales.
• Size: They are relatively small, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch long.

Another unique feature is that this specific species feeds primarily during the day. Great, the only positive thing about mosquitoes used to be that we only had to endure them at night.