Culiseta melanura is best described as which?

• A. Rarely bites humans
• B. Major vector for West Nile Virus to humans
• C. Most important bird-to-bird vector of Eastern Equine Encephalitis
• D. Adults overwinter as 1st-2nd instar larvae

Answer: (C)

Culiseta melanura is best described as the primary enzootic, bird-to-bird vector for Eastern Equine Encephalitis. It feeds predominantly on birds, which lets it maintain and amplify the virus within avian populations. Humans and horses typically become infected only incidentally when the virus has built up in birds and a bridge vector—one that feeds on both birds and mammals—transmits it to people. So, describing this species as the most important bird-to-bird vector of EEE captures its key ecological role. The other statements don’t fit: West Nile Virus is mainly transmitted to humans by other Culex species, not this mosquito; and overwintering as late-stage larvae contradicts its biology.