Question

What is the scientific name of Asian tiger mosquito?
(A) Aedes aegypti
(B) Aedes albopictus
(C) Aedes taeniorhynchus
(D) Aedes albolineatus

Answer 1

Hint: Asian tiger mosquito is a small mosquito which is originally from Southeast Asia. It is also known as Forest mosquito. During the last 30 years or so, Asian tiger mosquitoes have been found inhabiting different regions of the world including Africa, North and South America.

Complete answer:
- Asian tiger mosquito is a small sized mosquito having length of about ¼ inch. It shows the presence of white and black color patterns, owing to which it is called tiger mosquito.
- These mosquitoes are daytime feeders. Males feed on plant juices and they do not bite. Females bite aggressively to feed on blood which is needed for the development of eggs.
- The lifecycle of these mosquitoes involve stages like eggs, larvae, pupae and adults. Eggs are laid in places containing clean or fresh standing water like old tires, cavities of trees. Eggs are not laid in marshes or ditches. Larvae are called wrigglers because they wriggle or swim in water.
- The scientific name of Asian tiger mosquito is Aedes albopictus.

Other given options:
- Aedes aegypti is commonly known as Yellow fever mosquito.
- Aedes taeniorhynchus is commonly known as black salt marsh mosquito.
- Aedes albolineatus is another mosquito species.

Hence, the correct answer is option (B).

Note: Asian tiger mosquitoes multiply at a very fast rate as they are rapid breeders. They can breed in any type of fresh water container. They can fly only upto ½ mile from their breeding sites. They are vectors of a number of diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, encephalitis, and zika.