Deadly virus-carrying ‘Tiger mosquitoes’ could invade Britain this summer

An aggressive mosquito which has caused outbreaks of deadly viruses in Europe could be on the way to Britain this summer, experts have warned.

Eggs of the aggressive Asian Tiger were found in the UK for the first time last year – and an expert has warned they will come back.

Oliver Boase, a consultant for the British Pest Control Association, said, ‘It could happen this summer or next summer, but it’s a case of when, rather than if.

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The Tiger, which has black and white stripes on its abdomen and legs, has earned a fearsome reputation as it bites throughout the day, rather than just in the evening as with other species.

It can carry a number of human diseases, including Dengue Fever, and has already been responsible for outbreaks of Chikungunya in France and Italy.

Boase says, ‘The discovery of the mosquito in Britain last year is extremely unlikely to have been a one-off event.

‘If some of the mosquitoes escaped treatment, survived and dispersed – and I’d say there’s a 50-50 chance – they could breed before they’re spotted and we could then have a bigger problem on our hands.

‘It has already spread across mainland Europe, so it’s probably only a matter of time before it establishes a colony over here.