Name two exotic mosquito species originally from Asia that are found in Maryland.

• A. Aedes aegypti and Culex pipiens
• B. Anopheles quadrimaculatus and Culiseta melanura
• C. Aedes albopictus and Ochlerotatus japonicus
• D. Aedes vexans and Anopheles freeborni

Answer: (C)

Two exotic mosquito species from Asia that are now established in Maryland are Aedes albopictus and Ochlerotatus japonicus. Aedes albopictus, the Asian tiger mosquito, is native to Asia and was introduced to the United States in the late 20th century. It readily breeds in artificial containers around homes and urban areas, and it is a known vector for several arboviruses such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika, making its presence in Maryland a public health concern. Ochlerotatus japonicus, also native to Asia, was first detected in Maryland in the 1990s and has since become established. It can breed in both natural habitats (like rock pools) and artificial containers and is well adapted to temperate climates, expanding the potential for human–mosquito encounters. These two fit the idea of non-native, Asia-origin mosquitoes now found in Maryland.

The other options include species that are native to North America or are not Asia-origin, so they do not meet the criterion of being exotic, Asia-origin mosquitoes found in Maryland.