Aedes albopictus in North America: probable introduction in used tires from northern Asia.
North American strains of Aedes albopictus, an Asian mosquito recently introduced into the Western Hemisphere, exhibit photoperiodic sensitivity and cold-hardiness characteristics similar to strains originating from temperate zone Asia. Trade statistics for used tire imports, the most likely mode of introduction, also indicate a north Asian origin. Aedes albopictus, an important vector of dengue and a potential vector of many other arboviral diseases, may therefore have the capability of infesting much of temperate North America.
D000330:Aedes / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D003080:Cold Temperature; D005202:Asia, Eastern; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000502:physiology; D008296:Malaysia; D010063:Ovum / Q000502:physiology; D014481:United States; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000635:transmission