Montana Mosquito Surveillance
Culiseta morsitans
Species: Culiseta morsitans
Importance:
Culiseta morsitans is a woodland species with a limited flight range. The species is primarily an avian feeder and generally does not attack man. It may function as a secondary vector of eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEE) in some parts of its range in eastern US.
Biology:
Unlike most members of the Genus Culiseta, the egg rafts are deposited on damp earth, probably deep within the Carex tussocks that are so common in their breeding habitat. The species overwinters in the egg stage and early instar Cs. morsitans larvae can usually be collected in the spring. Development is relatively slow in the cold water habitats where the species is most common and egg hatch extends over a period of many weeks.
Identifying Characteristics:
Rounded abdomen, base of wing vein Sc with row of setae ventrally, hindtarsomeres with narrow pale bands, abdomen with pale bands on basal edge of tergites. Similar to Cs. minnesotae.