Significant numbers of the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, were detected on the westcoast of the USA in mid-June 2001, in containerized oceanic shipments of "lucky bamboo" (Dtacaena spp.)originating from South China. Wholesale nurseries in California importing large quantities of lucky bamboobecame the focal points of infestation. Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District immediately implementedan adulticiding protocol at the Los Angeles/Long Beach Harbors, followed by larviciding soon after theshipment was delivered to the wholesale nursery. Intensive surveys are currently being conducted above groundand in the underground storm drain systems using battery-operated CDC/CO2-baited light traps and ovitraps,both enhanced with an attractant (water rinse of tiger shrimps), to determine extent of infestation and perhapsestablishment of Ae. albopictus locally.