Montana Mosquito Surveillance
Culex restuans
Species: Culex restuans
Importance:
This species has been incriminated as a vector of canine heartworm. WEE and WNV have been isolated from this species in other parts of the US.
Biology:
Overwinters in the adult stage. Larvae are found in water with a high organic content. This species feeds on birds and mammals. It undergoes a life cycle that is typical for domestic Culex. Inseminated adult females enter hibernation in fall and pass the winter in a period of quiescence.
Identifying Characteristics:
Rounded abdomen, abdominal terga with pale bands on basal border that have no lateral constrictions, scutum with 2 small pale-scaled spots. Similar to Cx. pipiens.