Asian tiger mosquito returns to state

By Jenna Duncan, Globe Correspondent

Warning to readers: This article may make you feel itchy.

Experts say there’s a new brand of pesky bloodsucking insects in the state.

Asian tiger mosquitoes were recently reported in New Bedford. It’s the fourth year the black-and silver-striped pest has been reported in the state.

The mosquito differs from the ordinary Bay State mosquito because it prefers to feed on humans and is active in daylight hours.

“It’s a true human-feeding mosquito during the day and we aren’t used to this going around here,” said Wayne Andrews, Bristol County Mosquito Control Project Superintendent. “The issue with it is that it’s a lot different from what we’re used to.”

The species was first spotted in the state in 2000; it returned in 2009 and 2010. Andrews said he isn’t sure why the bug is here.

Andrews and others are monitoring their patterns, but they showed up about three months earlier than usual this year.

“At this point, people shouldn’t be worried about viruses or anything,” he said. “The numbers could increase, though, because they have a lot of time this summer to do that.”

The Asian tiger mosquito is primarily found in Asia and West Africa because they have a hard time surviving in cold weather, according to the website of the University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

The mosquitoes are thought to have contributed to the spread of West Nile virus in the United States, and their feeding habits help to increase the spread, the website said.