| Culex tarsalis | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Culicidae |
| Genus: | Culex |
| Species: | C. tarsalis |
| Binomial name | |
| Culex tarsalis Coquillett, 1896 | |
Culex tarsalis, also known as Western Encephalitis Mosquito, [1] is a mosquito species that appears across North America. The species has black and white banding on the legs.
The species is a major vector of Saint Louis encephalitis and Western equine encephalitis virus in the western USA. [2] It is also a confirmed vector of West Nile virus. [3] [4] [5]
In California urban environments, the abundance of Culex tarsalis increases following rainfall, and it has been identified as a potential vector not only for zoonotic viruses but also for avian malaria parasites, particularly Plasmodium species that infect wild birds. [6]
