{"id":10674,"date":"2026-02-09T12:49:19","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T11:49:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/marimurtra.cat\/tiger-mosquito\/"},"modified":"2026-02-25T18:29:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T17:29:11","slug":"tiger-mosquito","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/marimurtra.cat\/en\/tiger-mosquito\/","title":{"rendered":"Tiger mosquito"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Tiger mosquito<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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The Marimurtra Botanical Garden actively participates in the research and control of the tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus<\/em>), an invasive species recognizable by its white stripes on its legs and back. This mosquito can breed in small stagnant water points and can transmit viruses such as dengue, chikungunya, or Zika. <\/p>

To reduce its abundance, at Marimurtra potential water points are eliminated or managed<\/strong>, monitoring traps are installed, and regular surveillance actions are carried out. In addition, we collaborate with the scientific project Mosquito Alert<\/strong>, a research group that studies the distribution and behaviour of the tiger mosquito and how it responds to environmental and management changes. <\/p>

Through these actions, we contribute to public health and to the conservation of the garden as a safe and sustainable space, and we have succeeded in significantly reducing the abundance of mosquitoes<\/strong>, as well as the nuisance for visitors and the associated health risk.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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1. Introduction<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The Marimurtra Botanical Garden, aware of the presence of this invasive species in its environment, has been taking measures for some time to reduce its abundance. For this reason, it actively collaborates with expert researchers in this field<\/strong> (CEAB-CSIC, UPF) to contribute to the collection of scientific data on this species through participation in various scientific projects (Mosquito Alert). <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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2. The tiger mosquito<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus<\/em>) is an invasive species currently present on five continents and is considered one of the 100 most invasive species in the world<\/strong>. It is characterized by its black and white striped legs and its small black and white body. <\/p>

Today, it is considered a public health problem<\/strong>, not only because of the nuisance caused by its bites but also due to its ability to transmit numerous diseases.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Imatge: mosquitoalert.com<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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How can I identify it?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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It is a small black mosquito, between 6\u20139 mm in length. It can be recognized by a single white line on the back of its head and thorax<\/strong> (1). Its legs are black with white spots, giving it a zebra-like appearance (2). <\/p>

Unlike other mosquitoes, the tiger mosquito is diurnal<\/strong>, with high activity early in the morning and especially in the afternoon until sunset. These are the periods when it usually bites. <\/p>

Although it also enters houses, it is strongly associated with outdoor spaces<\/strong>, where it finds shelter in vegetation to hide and rest. Its ideal habitat consists of damp and shady corners<\/strong>. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Where does it come from?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The tiger mosquito originates from Southeast Asia. In recent decades it has invaded many countries and is now present in Asia, Africa, America, Australia, and Europe. <\/p>

Globalization has allowed its passive spread by sea and land, and the transport of used tyres and plants has contributed to its invasion.<\/p>

It arrived in Europe in 1979 through Albania. In 2004 it was detected for the first time in Spain, in the province of Barcelona. It is now distributed throughout the Mediterranean coast and moving inland<\/strong>. <\/p>

Its great adaptability to new conditions suggests that its distribution range will expand in the coming years.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Life cycle<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Mosquitoes have a life cycle with both aquatic and terrestrial phases:<\/p>