Which mosquito is the primary vector for eastern equine encephalitis in birds (bird-to-bird transmission)?

• A. Aedes aegypti
• B. Aedes albopictus
• C. Culiseta melanura
• D. Anopheles quadrimaculatus

Answer: (C)

Culiseta melanura is the main mosquito that maintains eastern equine encephalitis in birds. It spends most of its time feeding on birds and thrives in swampy, forested habitats where wild birds roost, making it highly competent at transmitting the virus from one bird to another and sustaining the enzootic bird-bird cycle. The other mosquitoes are not the primary drivers of this bird-to-bird transmission: Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are more associated with urban transmission of other arboviruses and do not specialize in feeding on birds; Anopheles quadrimaculatus is more known for malaria transmission and isn’t a key player in the EEE bird cycle.