Aedes albopictus is an invasive mosquito species which established rapidly in the US. It is characterized as an aggressive biter, prolific breeder, and dominant larval resource competitor. Declines in resident mosquito species have followed its arrival, and species that persist often emerge from shared larval habitats as small, nutritionally deprived adults. Aedes albopictus is a competent disease vector in both its native range and in areas of recent establishment. It therefore has the potential to alter vector-borne disease transmission either directly, by creating a new pathogen association, or indirectly, via interactions with native mosquito vectors.
