What are Cx. stigmatosoma like?

• A. They are day biters and are malaria vectors for humans
• B. They are night biters and are WNV, SLE vectors for birds
• C. They feed only on fish and do not bite people
• D. They breed in container habitats and are not disease vectors

Answer: (B)

Cx. stigmatosoma are nocturnal mosquitoes that prefer feeding on birds, which places them in the bird-virus transmission cycle. Because they bite at night and mainly feed on avian hosts, they are important vectors for bird-associated viruses such as West Nile virus and St. Louis encephalitis virus. These viruses circulate primarily among birds, and Cx. stigmatosoma helps move them from one bird to another during their nightly feeds. They can bite humans opportunistically, but their key role here is as vectors for WNV and SLE in birds.

The other statements don’t fit: day-biting and malaria vector behavior align more with other mosquito groups; feeding only on fish is not characteristic of mosquitoes; and breeding in container habitats with no disease vector role doesn’t describe this species.