FAQs related to No further evidence of Asian Tiger Mosquito found
A single male Asian Tiger Mosquito was trapped at Shed 8 on the wharf at the Ports of Auckland on Friday 1st March 2007 as part of a routine mosquito surveillance program. Investigations are currently underway to establish whether this is a one off event or whether it is part of a localised population.
The Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes albopictus) occurs throughout the tropics of Southeast Asia, the Northern Pacific and Indian Ocean Islands, north through China and Japan and west to Madagascar. The Mosquito has also spread to North and South America, with more recent introductions into areas within Africa, Australia, the South Pacific Islands and Europe.
Mosquitoes go through four separate and distinct stages during their life cycle: eggs, larvae, pupae (resting stage), and adults. They have an elongated proboscis (mouth piece) with which the female bites and feeds on blood.
Our mosquito identification experts use microscopes to identify physical differences to tell different species apart.
Adult Asian Tiger Mosquitoes range in size of approximately 2 mm to 10 mm and have black bodies with a conspicuous pattern of white stripes. There is a distinctive single white band (stripe) down the length of the back. There is also a native New Zealand mosquito that has white stripes, so the best indication of an Asian Tiger mosquito may be aggressive daytime biting. Adult female Asian Tiger Mosquitoes feed on humans, animals, birds and frogs.
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand is encouraging members of the public in the Ports of Auckland/downtown Auckland area to report unusual mosquito activity. Unusual activity means aggressive daytime biting, usually in shaded outdoor areas. If possible collect a sample by placing it in a sealed container and report your find to the Ministry of Health’s hotline 0800 MOZZIE (0800 669943).
If you are concerned about mosquitoes you can avoid being bitten when outdoors by wearing a repellent cream or spray preferably containing DEET (diethyl toluamide) and wearing light-coloured protective clothing such as long sleeved shirts, long pants and hats to minimise skin exposure.
Exotic mosquitoes are most likely to enter New Zealand by way of:
- being lodged in deck cargo on international ships
- breeding in water storage and open containers on fishing boats and yachts
- breeding or attached to used tyres
- breeding in cavities and containers on used vehicles, used machinery and other imported goods.
The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) are working together with Auckland Regional Public Health Service, the Ports of Auckland, and the Auckland City Council to determine if an Asian Tiger Mosquito population is present.
An enhanced surveillance programme is currently seeking to identify, and if necessary contain, control and eliminate any Asian Tiger Mosquitoes found in the area before they can spread further. This programme includes the placement of additional traps and the identification and elimination or treatment of all potential habitats in the port area.
The Asian Tiger Mosquito is defined as an 'unwanted organism' under the Biosecurity Act 1993. This is because it would be able to breed in New Zealand and could spread some very serious human diseases. These include Dengue fever, Eastern equine encephalitis virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, LaCrosse encephalitis virus, Ross River virus, St Louis encephalitis virus, Western equine encephalitis virus, West Nile virus, and Yellow Fever.
Only one male specimen (males do not transmit viruses) has been found so far, and based on the information obtained to date we believe the risk of contracting one of these diseases through this route is extremely low.
If it became established in New Zealand, it has the potential to spread throughout many areas in the Northland and Auckland regions depending on rainfall and temperature variables. Other North Island regions (e.g. Hawkes Bay) may also be suitable for establishment.
The Asian Tiger Mosquito prefers rural and vegetated habitats. However it can also successfully breed in urban environments. It breeds in natural and artificial containers, and in fresh to polluted and even brackish water.