The first detection of Ae. albopictus in Africa was in 1989
when live larvae were detected in the port city of Cape
Town, South Africa, in used tires imported from Japan; the
infestation was immediately controlled [13,14]. Two years
later, it was recorded in Nigeria and dispersed to Cameroon,
Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon [1,14].
Once Ae. albopictus is established in an area it is difficult
to eradicate, and constant surveillance and appropriate
control strategies are required [15]. The widespread
distribution of Ae. albopictus outside its native home-range
is presumed to have been primarily human-mediated and
accidental [16]. Low levels of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
diversity and limited phylogeographic genetic differentiation
among populations are consistent with dispersal and
invasion mediated by human activities, such as continued
migration events, commerce in used tires and live plants
(0lucky0 bamboo), and continued propagule pressure