The Asian tiger mosquito is Aedes albopictus, a mosquito in the Aedes genus. It bites during the day and lays eggs at the edges of standing water, even tiny containers. As an Aedes species, it can spread dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever.
The clearest way to understand the Asian tiger mosquito is to place it in one simple framework: the genus-and-behavior lens. Once you know that the Asian tiger mosquito is Aedes albopictus, part of the Aedes genus, both its habits and its health risk follow from that single fact. Aedes mosquitoes bite during the day and lay eggs at the edges of standing water, and they are the genus behind dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever. To go deeper on the broader topic, start with our mosquitoes overview.
It also helps to remember one biology basic that applies to every mosquito, including this one: only female mosquitoes bite. Females need a blood meal to produce eggs, while males feed on nectar. The itch that follows a bite is an immune reaction to proteins in the mosquito's saliva — a histamine release — not the puncture itself.
Aedes albopictus Identification
Identifying the Asian tiger mosquito starts with its scientific name, Aedes albopictus, and its place in the Aedes genus alongside the closely related Aedes aegypti. The two behaviors that matter most for identification are when it bites and where it breeds. Unlike many mosquitoes, Aedes species bite during the day, so daytime protection is relevant, not just dusk and dawn.
The second identifying habit is its breeding site. Aedes mosquitoes lay their eggs at the edges of standing water, and they readily use very small artificial containers — buckets, plant saucers, tires, and clogged gutters. Because the larvae develop in that standing water, removing it is the single most effective way to reduce these mosquitoes. For the stage that lives in the water, see our guide to mosquito larvae, and for hands-on control read how to get rid of mosquitoes.
Diseases Aedes Mosquitoes Spread
Because the Asian tiger mosquito is an Aedes species, its disease profile is the Aedes profile. Aedes mosquitoes — including Aedes aegypti and the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus — can transmit dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever. Since these mosquitoes bite by day, daytime bite prevention is part of managing that risk. If you want to understand the bite itself, see mosquito bites.
Mosquitoes as a whole are considered the deadliest animals to humans because of the diseases they transmit. That risk is not spread evenly across all mosquitoes, though — it depends heavily on which genus is biting you, which is why the next section separates the three that matter most.
Types of Mosquitoes (Aedes, Culex, Anopheles)
Three genera carry most of the human disease burden, and each is tied to a different set of illnesses. Knowing which is which is the fastest way to reason about risk. The Asian tiger mosquito sits firmly in the first column.
Mosquito Genera & the Diseases They Spread
Genus
🦟 Key species
⚕️ Diseases spread
Aedes
Aedes aegypti; Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus). Bite by day; eggs at water edges.
Dengue, Zika, chikungunya, yellow fever.
Culex
House mosquitoes (Culex species).
West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis, Eastern equine encephalitis.
Anopheles
~430 species; only 30–40 actually transmit malaria.
Malaria.
The Asian tiger mosquito is an Aedes species, so its disease risk matches the Aedes column: dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever.
In short: Aedes spreads dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever and bites during the day; Culex spreads West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis, and Eastern equine encephalitis; and Anopheles spreads malaria, though of roughly 430 Anopheles species only 30 to 40 actually transmit it.
Control Around the Home
Because Aedes larvae develop in standing water, the most effective step is to remove that water:
Empty and scrub buckets, saucers, tires, and clogged gutters
Refresh or empty birdbaths at least weekly to interrupt the larval cycle
Check small, hidden containers where the Asian tiger mosquito readily lays eggs
The Asian tiger mosquito is the common name for Aedes albopictus, a mosquito in the Aedes genus. It is known for biting during the day and for laying its eggs at the edges of standing water, including tiny artificial containers. As an Aedes species, it can spread viruses such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever.
When does the Asian tiger mosquito bite?
Aedes mosquitoes, including the Asian tiger mosquito, bite during the day. This is different from many other mosquitoes and means daytime protection matters. Only female mosquitoes bite, because they need a blood meal to produce eggs; males feed on nectar.
Where does the Asian tiger mosquito lay its eggs?
Aedes mosquitoes lay their eggs along the edges of standing water, including very small artificial containers such as buckets, saucers, tires, and clogged gutters. Removing standing water is the most effective way to break the larval cycle and reduce these mosquitoes.
What diseases do Aedes mosquitoes spread?
Aedes mosquitoes, including Aedes aegypti and the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus, can transmit dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever. Because these mosquitoes bite during the day, daytime bite prevention is an important part of reducing risk.
How is the Asian tiger mosquito different from Culex and Anopheles?
The three genera spread different diseases. Aedes mosquitoes spread dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever and bite by day. Culex mosquitoes spread West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis, and Eastern equine encephalitis. Anopheles mosquitoes spread malaria; of roughly 430 Anopheles species, only 30 to 40 actually transmit malaria.
Do all mosquitoes bite people?
No. Only female mosquitoes bite, because they need a blood meal to develop their eggs. Male mosquitoes feed on nectar and do not bite. The itch from a bite is an immune reaction to proteins in the mosquito's saliva, not the puncture itself.
How do I control the Asian tiger mosquito around my home?
Because Aedes larvae develop in standing water, the most effective control is removing standing water. Empty and scrub containers such as buckets, saucers, tires, clogged gutters, and birdbaths at least weekly to interrupt the larval cycle. Learn more about getting rid of mosquitoes and mosquito larvae in our related guides.
Sources
CDC — About Mosquitoes (only female mosquitoes bite; bites itch from an immune reaction to mosquito saliva; larvae develop in standing water).
CDC — Life Cycle of Aedes Mosquitoes (Aedes species such as Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus bite during the day and lay eggs at the edges of standing water, including small containers; Aedes spread dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever; Culex spread West Nile, St. Louis encephalitis, and Eastern equine encephalitis; Anopheles spread malaria, and of ~430 species only 30–40 transmit it).
U.S. EPA — Mosquito Life Cycle (larvae develop in standing water; removing standing water is the most effective control).