Subject: A strange visitor
Location: Alicante, Spain
July 16, 2016 5:55 pm
Dear Bugman, I was wondering if you could help me to identify a bug I came across. I came across it in southern Spain in the summertime. It is quite a fascinating looking creature, pale white dots with almost neon blue body. I assume it’s some breed of mosquito but I’d love to know more.
Thank you for your help!
Signature: Daniel Owen
Dear Daniel,
The bad news is that this is an introduced Asian Tiger Mosquito, Aedes albopictus, and according to Spanish News Today: “The mosquito can carry more than 20 exotic diseases, including West Nile fever, dengue fever, yellow fever, chikungunya virus and two types of encephalitis and is strikingly distinct from other mosquitos due to its distinctive black and white striped markings.” The Asian Tiger Mosquito has also been introduced to North America, and according to BugGuide: “The ATM differs from most other mosquitoes in that it’s diurnal (active during the day).” The good news is that the feathery antennae indicate your individual is a male and male Mosquitoes do not feed on human blood, but there are more than likely a few females in the vicinity that may try to bite.