From the Electronic Telegraph:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/wmoz29.html

Rome braced for attack of the super mosquito, By Bruce Johnston in Rome

AN aggressive and potentially dangerous mosquito which bites by day as well as by night has begun settling in central Rome.

An emergency committee said that the tiger mosquito, larger than normal species and so-named for the light stripes on its body and legs, had arrived in the Flaminio quarter of town, close to Rome's select Parioli district. It has since been biting the necks, ankles, ears, faces and elbows of residents 24 hours a day.

The arrival of the feared species in the run-up to the Vatican's Millennium Jubilee or Holy Year celebrations, when an estimated 30 million pilgrims are expected, follows sightings in the outskirts of Rome and elsewhere late last summer.

At the time, a Superior Health Institute researcher warned that the species was spreading to "22 provinces and 100 cities" throughout the country. The tiger mosquito, or Aedes albopitcus, originates in Asia, and breeds most successfully in small puddles or containers of stagnant water, such as trays used beneath flower pots on terraces, or industrial drums left open to the rain.

Difficult to eradicate, the mosquito can transmit serious viral illnesses including the dengue and, more rarely, yellow fever. The dengue results in a fever and headaches and pain in the eyes, muscles and joints, between three and six days after a person is bitten. The pain is such that it causes people to grimace, and to walk with a stiff gait. Five days later the pain disappears and a rash appears on the skin. The only cure is time and rest. There are no known reported cases of the dengue being contracted in Italy.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), April 29, 1999

Answers

Just FYI - those little buggers came into the US several years back - someone in Indiana imported used tires! from the Orient and the mosquito larva came along for the ride. They are common in the area around Evansville, IN - and have a vicious bite. Are big and slow - easy to mash into a mosquito pancake when you see them. They really do have stripes/rings around the abdomen.

They don't carry disease unless they have bitten someone who already has the disease.

And don't bother asking me why on earth someone would want to import used tires - that's what they said on the evening news when the infestation broke out. I haven't a clue as to what the tires were for.

-- Paul Davis (davisp1953@yahoo.com), April 29, 1999.

They're already here in central NC, arrived a couple of years ago. I was hoping someone would make the connection that if Y2K is more than the proverbial bump and we have some disease, then this is a problem to look out for. These little buggers are much more difficult to avoid than our native ones. At least you knew when they were out and could avoid them. I don't think the Asian ones ever sleep. It's also a problem for home gardeners, Y2K or not. Repellents? Consumer Reports (among others) doesn't like sprays containing deet. However, if you must use the stuff, spray it on your clothes, not your skin. Also grow lemon-scented herbs (like thyme) and rub that on your skin. CR also says those "mosquito plants" don't work.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), April 29, 1999.