The production of five genera of Chironomidae (Diptera) in Lake Norman,a North Carolina reservoir

The production of five genera of chironomids collected at 4- and 8-m depths at four stations in Lake Norman, North Carolina, was estimated using the size-frequency method. To correct for multivoltinism, the estimates were adjusted by multiplying by 365/Cohort Production Interval. Ranges of production estimates (P) in milligrams dry mass m^-2 yr^-1 and production/mean annual biomass ratios (P/B ratios) for each genus over both depths were: Tanytarsus, P = 744 to 8788, P/BB = 66 to 176; Cladotanytarsus, P = 74 to 2387, P/B = 69 to 100; Stempellina, P = 19 to 412, P/ B = 74 to 132; Chironomus, P = 166 to 7293, P/ B = 50 to 70; Cryptochironomus, P = 92 to 398, P/ B = 71 to 221. These estimates are among the highest reported for chironomids, due primarily to the rapid larval development times estimated for these genera.     

Redescription of pupae of the New World predaceous midges,Pachyhelea pachymera (Williston, 1900) and Clastrieromyia dycei Spinelli and Grogan, 1986 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

The pupae of the predaceous midges, Pachyhelea pachymera (Williston, 1900) and Clastrieromyia dycei Spinelli and Grogan, 1986, are redescribed and illustrated using modern terminology from specimens collected in Buenos Aires and Entre Ríos Provinces, Argentina, and Artigas Department, Uruguay. Both species exhibit elongated, thin anteromedial sensilla that are characteristic of other genera in the tribe Palpomyiini. Character differences from known pupae of the New World species in the Palpomyia tibialis group are noted for P. pachymera and differences from other Palpomyiini genera are noted for C. dycei.     

Efficacy of the Entomopathogenic Fungus, Culicinomyces clavisporus against Larvae of the Biting Midge, Culicoides nubeculosus (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

Culicinomyces clavisporus, a fungal pathogen of a wide range of mosquito species, was investigated in relation to potential pathogenicity against Culicoides nubeculosus biting midge larvae. Seven different C. clavisporus strains were assayed. Each showed some degree of activity against C. nubeculosus larvae with LC₅₀ values of between 3.2×10^-5 and 1.1×10^-6 spores/mL; these effects occurred in dose-dependent manners and tended to be delayed until 72-96 h post treatment. The results are discussed in relation to incorporation of C. clavisporus into biocontrol programmes for Culicoides spp.     

The swarming behaviour of the Scottish biting midge, Culicoides impunctatus (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

Abstract.

• 1 Swarms of Culicoides impunctatus males were examined in the field in Scotland. Most swarms were close to midge emergence/breeding grounds over a variety of vegetation, some of which clearly acted as swarm markers. Low light (0–1000 lux) and still/humid conditions favoured swarming.
• 2 Swarm size ranged between less than 10 and more than one thousand midges. The modal size was 200 individuals. The smallest swarms were usually columnar in shape and the larger swarms ovoid.
• 3 Midges behaved individually within swarms, moving in an elliptical manner characteristic of other dipterans in swarms.
• 4 Swarms were classified as either ‘persistent’ or ‘transient’ in terms of their shape, size and stability. Wind was the most influential factor in disrupting swarms.
• 5 Swarms were confirmed as mating sites for C.impunctatus.

     

Descriptions of a new species and the pupae of two known species of Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from India

Pupa, and adult male and female of Culicoides pseudosimilis n. sp., and pupae of two known species, C. selangorensis Wirth & Hubert, and C. dryadeus Wirth & Hubert, are described and illustrated. An identification key to the Indian species of Clavipalpis and Shermani species group of male Culicoides is also provided.     

Effect of vertebrate feces on the attraction of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in an Amazonian mangrove

Biting midges are of interest to public health because they play an important role as vectors of disease‐causing pathogens, as well as being a biting nuisance to humans and domestic animals. Although these insects are common in mangrove areas, they have not yet been studied in this ecosystem in the state of Maranhão (MA), Brazil. The objective of this study was to characterize the Culicoides community structure found in a mangrove swamp and verify if the use of vertebrate feces as bait interferes with their composition, richness, abundance, or seasonality. CDC light traps with vertebrate (chicken, ox, control, donkey, capuchin monkey and pig) feces baits were used to capture biting midges in a mangrove area of the Island of São Luís, MA. A total of 4,087 individuals representing 22 species of Culicoides were captured, the most abundant being C. (Oecacta) furens Poey (23.46%), C. (gr. Fluviatilis) leopoldoi Ortiz (21.58%), C. (Hoffmania) ignacioi Forattini (16.98%), C. (Hoffmania) maruim Lutz (13.85%), C. (Diphaomyia) iriartei Fox (10.57%), C. (Hoffmania) insignis Lutz (7.07%), and C. (gr. Limai) limai Barreto (3.03%). Species richness and abundance were higher when baits of capuchin monkey (15 species; 26.84% of the individuals) and pig (15; 25.3%) feces were used. The least attractive baits were donkey (12 species; 9.3%) and ox (nine species; 11.52%) feces. Biting midges were more abundant in the rainy season (67%), but richness was higher in the dry season (19 species). These results show that vertebrate feces may serve as olfactory cues and increase the attraction of biting midges to traps.     

A new predaceous midge of the Palpomyia tibialis group from northeastern Argentina (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

Palpomyia iberaensis n. sp., was collected by Malaise trap in the province of Corrientes, Argentina and its female and attached male genitalia are described and illustrated. The species is distinguished by the following combination of characters: females with dark brown legs except fore trochanter, basal 1/2 of fore femur, basal 2/3 of mid femur, fore and mid tibiae except extreme tip, yellowish brown; fore femur with four to five, mid femur with two ventral spines; abdomen lacking gland rods. Males with gonocoxite stout, with a conspicuous posteromesal pointed hook; gonostylus short, curved; parameres entirely divided, the distal portions slender with two posteriorly directed processes. This species is placed in the tibialis group in spite of the curious parameres without recurved tips. The species is compared with its congener Palpomyia mellichroa, from southeastern Brazil.     

Fungal and oomycete parasites of Chironomidae,Ceratopogonidae and Simuliidae (Culicomorpha,Diptera)

Members of the families Chironomidae (chironomids or non-biting midges), Ceratopogonidae (ceratopogonids or biting midges) and Simuliidae (simulids or blackflies) are ubiquitous dipterans of the infraorder Culicomorpha. They are extremely diversified in ecological strategies. Their larvae play major roles in aquatic food webs as detritivores or predators, whereas their adults can be general predators (Chironomidae), hemolymphagous or hematophagous predators (Ceratopogonidae and Simuliidae) or pollinators. Both larval and adult stages are commonly infected by bacteria, viruses, protists, nematodes, true fungi and oomycetes. These phylogenetically diverse assemblages of microorganisms can simultaneously infect multiple species of chironomids, ceratopogonids and simulids, and each host may become trophically interrelated with other hosts by sharing their parasites. Here, we review the information on fungal and oomycete parasites of these dipteran groups with special reference to the natural regulation of host populations, the impact of parasitism in food webs, and the potential of these parasites as biocontrol agents.     

Particulate material and midge larvae (Chironomidae: Diptera) in an upland river

The density of midge larvae (Chironomidae), which dominate the stone-surface fauna (81.3 ± 4.9% of the community by number) in an upland stream in northeast England is regulated by the amount of particulate material available. The amount of material depends on the deposition of suspended particles and on epilithic algal growth. Spates, characteristic of this type of stream, result in scouring and denudation of rock surfaces, preventing the build-up of epilithic material and limiting larval densities by regulating the availability of food and tube-building material. Detritus is the main type of particle in suspension throughout the year (66 ± 6%); detritus and diatoms the chief epilithic kind (65 ± 4 and 29 ± 4% respectively). The probable effects of flow amelioration, resulting from the formation of the proposed Kielder Reservoir are discussed.     

Ultrastructure of mediodorsal setae in biting midge larvae of the genus Atrichopogon Kieffer with notes on their biological significance (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

The ultrastructure of the strong mediodorsal setae in terrestrial stage IV larvae of Atrichopogon (Meloehelea) oedemerarum and A. (M.) meloesugans was examined using light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Serrated setae placed on prominent processes are distributed in pairs on all thoracic and abdominal segments. Setae are innervated by a single dendrite and their surface has no pores. The trichogen cell is not retracted from the setal lumen on completion of the hair-forming process but fills the mediodorsal seta also when the larval cuticle is fully sclerotised. Such a phenomenon was previously reported in terrestrial larvae of the genus Forcipomyia. We suggest that the mediodorsal setae described in Atrichopogon are plesiotypic mechanoreceptors for the subfamily Forcipomyiinae. They are preserved in the truly terrestrial larvae of Atrichopogon, but modified to secretory setae in the genus Forcipomyia. Both genera bearing distinct mediodorsal setae have developed functional tracheal gills, unknown in other biting midges.     

海南岛蠛蠓属二新种（双翅目：蠓科）

报道采自海南岛琼中县黎母岭的蠛蠓属Ｌａｓｉｏｈｅｌｅａ２新中为小溪蠛蠓Ｌａ．ｒｉｐａ,ｓｐ．ｎｏｖ．和鹤吻蠛蠓Ｌａ．ｓｉｒｙｃｔａ,ｓｐ．ｏｎｖ．模式标本保存于北京医学昆虫标本馆。     

云南蠓科昆虫二新种记述(双翅目:蠓科)

记述采自云南芒市(24.4°N, 98.5°E)的蠓科昆虫2新种,分别命名为叉茎裸蠓Atrichopogon diandrous sp. nov. 和芒市毛蠓Dasyhelea mangshi sp.nov.,并予描述和绘制了形态特征图,所有模式标本都保存于医学昆虫标本馆.     

海南霸王岭发现库蠓属二新种(双翅目:蠓科)

2009年在海南霸王岭(19.0°N,109.0°E)的昆虫调查采集中,采获许多蠓类,经分类研究,发现其中有二种库蠓新种,分别命名为霸王岭库蠓Culicoides bawanglingensis Yu,Wang and Chen,sp.nov.和曲囊库蠓Culicoides reduncutheca Yu,Wang and Tan,sp.nov.。这2种库蠓属新种的模式标本珍藏于医学昆虫标本馆(北京丰台东大街20号,100071)。     

西藏蠓类名录、地理分布及区系分析(双翅目,蠓科)

根据1987年以来野外调查资料,分析了西藏已知蠓类种类、地理分布及区系特点。目前已知西藏蠓科昆虫4亚科14属31亚属151种,占我国已知蠓类(约1100种)的13.73%。其中,仅在西藏有分布并以西藏为模式产地的特有种为99种,占西藏已知蠓种的65.56%。区系分析表明,在所报道的西藏蠓科151种中,古北界15种,占西藏蠓种总数的9.93%,均分布于青藏区青海藏南亚区;东洋界131种,占西藏蠓种总数的86.75%,有105种分布于西南区喜马拉雅亚区,有18种分布于西南区西南山地亚区,有8种分布于喜马拉雅亚区和西南山地亚区;两界均有分布的有5种,占西藏蠓种总数的3.31%。     

黑龙江省库蠓属屋室亚属一新种（双翅目：蠓科）

报道采自黑龙江省库蠓属屋室亚属一新种;无齿库蠓Culicoides(Oecacta)un-dentaris,sp.nov,模式标本保存于沈阳军区军事医学研究所。