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Asian tiger mosquitos are an exotic species of the summertime millions of people have to endure every year. The insects cause mild discomfort, but can also carry potentially deadly infectious diseases.

Are Asian tiger mosquitoes heading to the UK?

Asian tiger mosquitoes, otherwise known as Aedes albopictus, carry a distinctive black and white polka-dot pattern, unlike their monochrome counterparts.

The UK’s most common mosquito is the Culiseta annulata, an all-black insect which breeds in a variety of environments.

People may most commonly find them near ponds, ditches, marshes, cisterns and other bodies of water.

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The Asian tiger mosquito is not native to the country, hailing instead from the tropical climes of Southeast Asia.

But some colonies have established themselves in Europe over the last few decades.

The first few insects settled in the 1970s around Italy and France after trade accidentally introduced them to the continent from China.

Since then, more than 57 regions in France have reported clusters of the insects, which also carry a range of diseases.

More specifically, the mosquitos carry Dengue fever and the Zika virus, the former of which can cause death in severe cases.

Recent weather conditions in the UK, specifically a mild and wet winter followed by a warm spring, has sparked worries the pests may strafe across the English Channel.

A 2019 paper published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface suggested climate change could eventually accommodate Aedes albopictus’ breeding habits.

The study, conducted by Liverpool-based PhD student Sören Metelmann, said some eggs and mature specimens have appeared in the southeast of England, but they have not established a colony.

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Only small areas of the southeast of England would appear suitable for the insects to survive, Mr Metelmann said.

Changing climatic conditions could eventually lead them to establish themselves, but in a matter of decades.

Speaking to the Sun in the same year, Dr James Logan of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said they had not started breeding.

He revealed “small numbers” have appeared, but not in a significant enough colony to sustain a population.

Dr Logan said: “The Asian tiger mosquito has been found in the UK over the last couple of years in small numbers.

“We don’t think they’re established here, they’re not breeding here.”

There are more than 30 different types of mosquito in the UK, one of which bears a similar resemblance to the Asia tiger variety.

Aedes geniculatus is a mosquito with white tips on its femora, which looks like white knees, similar to the white-spotted Asian tigers.

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