Kauaʻi record · KCA-IA-00150
Asian Bush Mosquito
Aedes japonicus
Open this record in the interactive Atlas
About Asian Bush Mosquito
Asian Bush Mosquito (Aedes japonicus) is a member of Culicidae in the order Diptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced.
Asian bush mosquito (Aedes japonicus) is an introduced container-breeding mosquito documented from Kauaʻi. Eggs tolerate drying and can persist until water returns; larvae develop in water held by rock pools, tree holes, tires, buckets, and other natural or artificial containers. Adult females take blood meals primarily from mammals, including people, making the species relevant to both nuisance biting and vector surveillance.
Kauaʻi occurrence evidence: Matsunaga, Howarth & Kumashiro (2019) Table 1 includes Kauaʻi island code 'Ka'; first-detection year shown as 2004; reported island distribution: Ha, Ka, Ma, Oa.
The cited occurrence evidence does not by itself establish current abundance or population trend on Kauaʻi.
Life cycle
Desiccation-resistant egg → aquatic larva → aquatic pupa → terrestrial flying adult. It can produce multiple generations where temperature and standing water permit.
Habitat
Natural and artificial water-holding containers, shaded rock pools, tree holes, tires, buckets, and similar small aquatic habitats.
Food and ecological role
Larvae filter/feed on microorganisms and organic material in water; adult females take blood meals, while adults also use plant sugars.
Reproduction
Females place eggs on or near container surfaces where later flooding triggers hatching.
Movement
Adults fly locally; resistant eggs are readily transported in containers, especially used tires and other water-holding objects.
Ecosystem role
Introduced biting mosquito and public-health surveillance target.
Threats and impacts
Nuisance biting and potential disease-vector role; actual disease risk depends on pathogen presence and local transmission conditions.
Monitoring
Use ovicups/container surveillance and larval sampling; eliminate standing water where practical and track distribution changes.
Names and classification
- Scientific name
- Aedes japonicus
- Common names
- Asian Bush Mosquito
- Family
- Culicidae
- Order
- Diptera
- Record type
- species
Kauaʻi occurrence and status
- Kauaʻi occurrence
- Present
- Origin
- Introduced
- Conservation status
- Not assessed
Process and seasonal context
- Seasonal description
- Asian Bush Mosquito (Aedes japonicus) is a member of Culicidae in the order Diptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced.