This close-up view of a Culex tarsalis mosquito resting on human skin, shows the dark-scaled proboscis which has a broad median white band. Other identifying characteristics include white scales around the joints of its tarsi, a line of white scales along the tibia and femur, and two silver dots on its scutum. The epidemiologic importance of C. tarsalis lies in its ability to spread Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE), St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE), and California Encephalitis, and is currently th