Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)
Prevalence: High (among mosquitoes)
Risk 4/5
Freshwater Swamp Mosquito
Culiseta melanura · “The Bird Breeder”
Medium brown mosquito found in freshwater swamps. Important vector for Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus. Prefers swampy habitats.
Disease risks
How to identify
- Size
- 6-8mm (medium)
- Color
- Dark brown
- Distinctive features
- Distinctive palps; scales on wings
- Resting posture
- Head-up posture
- Prefers
- Birds primarily; humans occasionally
- Pain level
- Moderate
- Persistence
- Moderate
- Transmission
- Primary vector for Eastern Equine Encephalitis
What actually works
Habitat Elimination (Source Control)
Removal and treatment of breeding sites. Professional inspection identifies and eliminates standing water where mosquitoes lay eggs.
Pyrethroid Spray Treatment
Professional-grade synthetic pyrethroid insecticide applied by licensed technicians. Fast-acting, EPA-approved, effective against adult mosquitoes.
Fun fact
Culiseta melanura is the primary vector for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), transmitting the virus between birds and occasionally to humans.