What Mosquito Bites During The Day?

Most mosquitoes usually attack during the hours around dusk and dawn. Very rarely do the insects come out for a meal during daylight hours unless the sky is cloudy. The dry heat that often occurs during daylight hours in the summer can quickly kill mosquitoes by causing them to become dehydrated.

But Asian tiger mosquitoes, one of the most common and widespread mosquitoes in Virginia, bite only during the daytime (sun-up to sundown).  They will sometimes bite after dark, but only when there is illumination from outdoor lights, or when they get indoors. 

Asian tiger mosquitoes are persistent biters, but they are also cautious and sneaky.  They will often flit away in response to a sudden movement, and generally, they bite only when people are standing relatively still, or moving slowly.  They tend to bite the ankles, legs and backs or undersides of arms where they are less likely to be noticed.

The Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is a small black and white mosquito, about 1/4-inch long. The name "tiger mosquito" comes from its white and black color pattern. It has a white stripe running down the center of its head and back with white bands on the legs.

Male mosquitoes feed on plant juices and do not bite. Female mosquitoes seek blood to help their eggs develop. As with other mosquitoes, though, Asian tiger mosquitoes are attracted to dark clothing, perspiration, carbon dioxide and certain other odors. The mosquito will bite squirrels, dogs, deer and other animals as well as people.

Adult tiger mosquitoes live from a few days to several weeks, largely depending on weather conditions. Hot, dry weather reduces life expectancy. Regardless of life span, adult tiger mosquitoes seldom move far from the containers in which they were born. Most adults will be found within a few hundred yards of the breeding container. These mosquitoes only breed in containers or tree holes and would never be found breeding in puddles, ditches or ground pools.