Aedes albopictus originated in tropical forests of Southeast Asia. It is currently ranked among the top 100 invasive species worldwide and can be found on all continents. It is a vector of chikungunya, dengue, Zika, and dirofilariasis, among others. Ae. albopictus is a zoophilic species, but preferences for human blood meals are known. It has high levels of ecological and physiological plasticity (e.g. drought-resistant eggs, cold-acclimated adults exploiting various breeding sites, and 5-17 generations per year), allowing its fast adaptation to urban/sub-urban environments and colder regions. Notably, trade and travel globalization, climate change, superior competition for food over other Aedes species, as well as the lack of reliable surveillance and effective control tools boost its worldwide-scale invasion. Its resistance to commonly used larvicides and adulticides is well-recognized, and the development of novel control tools with proven epidemiological impact is challenging.