How Long Do Asian Tiger Mosquitoes Live?
Among the many mosquito species in the United States, the Asian tiger mosquito is the most invasive. It’s known to bite humans, animals, and plants, and it is a vector for several diseases, including chikungunya and dengue fever.
These mosquitoes have four stages of development, each with a different lifespan. The lifespan of an adult mosquito ranges from two weeks to three weeks, depending on the environmental conditions. The average lifespan for a mosquito in a temperate climate with high humidity is 30 to 40 days. During a dry period, the larvae may survive for months.
Asian tiger mosquitoes lay their eggs in containers, such as buckets, tires, and bird baths. Their larvae feed on microorganisms in the water. They hatch when the water level rises. Several different insecticides are used to kill the larvae.
Adult Asian tiger mosquitoes don’t fly very far, but they can be found near their breeding sites. They usually bite during the day, but they sleep at night. They are most active between dusk and dawn. They are also attracted to dark clothing and certain smells.
Asian tiger mosquitoes feed on many different species of animals and plants, including cats, opossums, squirrels, and even birds. They are able to ingest as much as two to six milliliters of blood per bite. They also feed on nectar from flowers.
Female Asian tiger mosquitoes can lay as many as 300 eggs in one breeding season. They usually lay their eggs in water containers or on the sides of containers. The eggs hatch after about 24 hours.