Culiseta malanura, the black-legged mosquito, is found in swamp areas from Canada to south Florida and west to Texas. It can also be found in the Caribbean and Mexico. It is the main vector of the eastern equine encephalitis virus. Its preferred host is birds.
Mammals become infected when other mosquitoes (e.g., Aedes, Culex) take blood meals from infected birds, then from mammals, causing the viral transmission to occur.
Figure 6. PHIL public domain. (n.d.). Image #2077. This illustration depicts a dorsal view of a Culiseta melanura mosquito, revealing characteristics that include a long, curved proboscis, a dark-scaled abdomen, and slightly enlarged, dark scales on the outer wing. This mosquito is a vector of the eastern equine encephalitis virus in bird populations. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://phil.cdc.gov/Details.aspx?pid=2077
