Asian Tiger Mosquito
Unlike some of the other insects on this list, this one can actually bite us. The Asian tiger mosquito—distinguished by its black body with white stripes—is native to Southeast Asia and was introduced to the U.S. sometime in the 1980s. It has spread to more than 20 states since then, including California, Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee. It can spread the West Nile virus, dengue, and even chikungunya. The CDC recommends wearing bug sprays that have DEET in it to avoid being bitten, and if you see it flying around your home, smash it immediately. Of course, that advice goes for regular mosquitos, too, so there’s no need to inspect the bug for stripes before killing it.
