Culiseta inornata was tested for its ability to choose a salt-containing medium as an oviposition site that would allow complete development of eggs and larvae. Eggs were not laid at concentrations above 0.1 M NaCl. Egg and larval viability was tested at the same NaCl concentrations used in oviposition experiments. Eggs were viable at the same concentrations used by females for oviposition. More than 50% of the larvae failed to develop fully at concentrations above 0.01 M NaCl. Culiseta inornata may choose an oviposition site (relative to salinity) that ensures optimal egg hatching and not optimal larval viability.