Fight against tiger mosquitoes in Dresden: traps are being examined

In the fight against the aggressive Asian tiger mosquito, the traps set up are now being examined. The traps will be checked over the next three days, a city spokeswoman said on request. The samples will then be analyzed at the State Institute for Health and Veterinary Investigation (LUA).

The focus of the measures is on the Äußere Neustadt district, where the mosquito has recently been appearing repeatedly. The traps were set up in mid-August by a company from Nuremberg, which is said to have extensive expertise in the field of pest control. The aim is to record the extent of the population and "hotspots". In addition, the public is called upon to document the discovery of tiger mosquitoes by photo and report them to the LUA.

Tiger mosquitoes have a high-contrast black and white pattern

The Asian tiger mosquito can be recognized by a number of characteristic features. These include a clear, high-contrast black and white pattern. This is why the insects are also known as "flying zebras". They have white longitudinal stripes on their head and back. There are also white stripes on the hind legs and the last leg is completely white. The animals have transparent wings and grow to a size of three to eight millimetres, according to reports.

The Asian tiger mosquito, which also bites during the day, was first detected in Dresden last year. It was originally native to the Asia-Pacific region and is spreading worldwide. The insects can transmit pathogens such as the dengue, Zika and chikungunya viruses, as well as the West Nile virus.