Female Culiseta melanura mosquitoes lay their eggs in rafts often in underground crypts created by tree roots. They favor habitats of cool, acid water with a pH of approximately 5.0 or lower at the edges of bogs and swamps.
(left) Culiseta melanura breeding habitat, Photo Credit: The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (right) Culiseta melanura breeding habitat, Photo Credit: Lee Green, IDOH
Culiseta melanura mosquitoes are multivoltine. Females most actively take blood meals during the first few hours after sunset but continue throughout the night at a lower level. Females primarily feed on songbirds which plays a large role in amplifying Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV) in nature. Although they prefer to feed on birds, they can also take blood meals from mammals, including humans. Adults look similar to Culex species but can be distinguished by its long, curved proboscis.
Adult female Culiseta melanura with long, curved proboscis, Photo Credit: Lee Green, IDOH
