Catalog of the biting midges of Argentina (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae).

Three hundred and fiftysix species of ceratopogonids in 35 genera are listed for Argentina, with most species in Forcipomyia Meigen (67 species) Culicoides Latreille (51 species), Stilobezzia Kieffer (40 species) and Dasyhelea Kieffer (37 species). For each listed species, the following information is included: sex and/or life stage described in the original description, type locality, type status and sex, depository of type material, distribution, georeferenced localities for Argentina (provinces are underlined) and main references that include the original description and those that specify locations in the country. Specific epithets of synonyms are accompanied by type locality, type status and sex, and location of type material. New localities from Argentina for 102 species are provided, and the following 16 species are newly recorded from the country: Forcipomyia (Caloforcipomyia) glauca Macfie, Forcipomyia (C.) hatoensis Utmar & Wirth, F. (Euprojoannisia) bromeliae Saunders, F. (E.) quasiingrami Macfie, F. (Forcipomyia) zonogaster Ingram & Macfie, F. (F.) catarinensis Marino & Spinelli, F. (Lasiohelea) cornuta Saunders, F. (Metaforcipomyia) osaensis Spinelli, Marino & Borkent, F. (Phytohelea) bromelicola (Lutz), F. (Trichohelea) goniognatha Wirth & Messersmith, F. (T.) leptognatha Wirth & Messersmith, Brachypogon (Brachypogon) woodruffi Spinelli & Grogan, Physohelea turgidipes Ingram & Macfie, Bezzia gibbera (Coquillett), Bezzia schmitzorum Dippolito & Spinelli and Palpomyia versicolor Macfie. Leptoconops brasiliensis (Lutz) and Clastrieromyia dycei Spinelli & Grogan are excluded from the Argentinean fauna.

A new species of Leptoconops Skuse from Argentina, description of the male of L. casali Cavalieri amp; Chiossone and a key to the Neotropical species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae).

A new species, Leptoconops (Proleptoconops) chacoensis, is described and photographed from a female collected in a forest area of the Chaco province, Argentina. This is the first record of the subgenus L. (Proleptoconops) Clastrier from the Neotropical region south of Mexico, and the new species is compared with L. (P.) werneri Wirth Atchley from southern USA and Mexico and L. (P.) aviarum from Tajikistan. Besides, the first description of the male of L. (Leptoconops) casali Cavalieri Chiossone is provided, from males collected associated with females in La Rioja and La Pampa provinces, Argentina, and this species is newly recorded from several areas of the country, significantly enlarging its geographical distribution. In addition, a key to Neotropical species of the genus is provided.

Five new species in the predaceous midge genus Macrurohelea Ingram amp; Macfie from Argentina, and descriptions of the previously unknown males of M. kuscheli Wirth and M. monotheca Spinelli amp; Grogan (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae).

Five new Neotropical species in the predaceous midge genus Macrurohelea Ingram Macfie are described: M. bassoi, M. donatoi, M. morenoi, M. sirii, and M. ventanensis, n. spp. and the previously unknown males of M. kuscheli Wirth and M. monotheca Spinelli Grogan are described from specimens collected in several localities of Argentina and Chile. Illustrations and photomicrographs of key features of both sexes are provided as well as a key to all Neotropical species of Macrurohelea.

Redescription of immature stages of Culicoides paraensis (Goeldi) (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), vector of the Oropouche virus.

Oropouche fever is an emerging zoonotic disease caused by Oropouche virus (OROV). It has two distinct transmission cycles, with the anthropophilic biting midge Culicoides paraensis (Goeldi) (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) being the primary vector in the urban cycle. Species identification of Culicoides typically has been carried out on the basis of morphological characters, but molecular tools applied to taxonomy can provide rapid and efficient methods to the identification of vector species. The aim of this work was to obtain the first DNA barcode for C. paraensis collected in Argentina and redescribe the larvae and pupae of this species. Nested PCR amplification was applied in this study to increase the DNA amplification, because the material was preserved in alcohol 70% for a long period of time. The immature stages of C. paraensis are fully described from material collected in Misiones province, Argentina. Both stages are compared with their most similar congeners. This COI sequence complements the identification based on morphological characters and the values of genetic distance between the analysed species show that this sequence is useful to discriminate between species of the Culicoides genus.

Two new species and new records of Neotropical Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae).

The following two new species of biting midges of Culicoides Latreille are described and photographed: Culicoides carbonelli Spinelli Martínez from Uruguay, and C. dellapei Spinelli, Ronderos Díaz from Argentina. Culicoides crucifer Clastrier, 1968 and C. hoffmani Fox, 1946 are diagnosed and newly recorded from Argentina, and the studied specimens are photographed.

The immatures of three Neotropical species of Palpomyia Meigen (Diptera, Culicomorpha, Ceratopogonidae).

The first description of the fourth instar larva and pupa of Palpomyia mapuche Spinelli, Grogan & Ronderos and the pupa of P. subfuscula Ingram & Macfie are provided, as well as the redescription of the pupa of P. subaspera (Coquillett). Studied specimens were collected in lotic environments of Argentinian Patagonia, in Neuquén and Chubut Provinces. The described stages were examined and illustrated with a phase-contrast microscope. The larva was examined using a scanning electron microscope. Data on the bionomics for P. mapuche and new records for the three species are provided.

Significant reduction in abundance of peridomestic mosquitoes (Culicidae) and Culicoides midges (Ceratopogonidae) after chemical intervention in western São Paulo, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: We assessed the impact of two sand fly insecticide interventions (insecticide spraying and insecticide-impregnated dog collars) on the peridomestic abundance and distribution of mosquitoes (Culicidae) and biting midges (Ceratopogonidae) in western São Paulo (Brazil) in a long-term (42-month) evaluation. Both of these dipteran groups are vectors of diseases of medical and veterinary relevance to humans and domestic animals in Brazil. METHODS: The interventions in the 3-arm stratified randomised control trial were: pheromone + insecticide (PI) (chicken roosts were sprayed with microencapsulated lambda-cyhalothrin; pheromone lure has no effect on the Diptera pests studied here); dog-collars (DC) (dogs fitted with deltamethrin-impregnated collars); and control (C) (unexposed to pyrethroids) were extended by 12 months. During that time, adult mosquitoes and midges were sampled along 280 households at three household locations (inside human dwellings, dog sleeping sites and chicken roosts). RESULTS: We collected 3145 culicids (9 genera, 87.6% Culex spp.) distributed relatively uniformly across all 3 arms: 41.9% at chicken roosts; 37.7% inside houses; and 20.3% at dog sleeping sites. We collected 11,464 Culicoides (15 species) found mostly at chicken roosting sites (84.7%) compared with dog sleeping sites (12.9%) or houses (2.4%). Mosquitoes and Culicoides were most abundant during the hot and rainy season. Increased daytime temperature was marginally associated with increased mosquito abundance (Z = 1.97, P = 0.049) and Culicoides abundance (Z = 1.71, P = 0.087). There was no significant association with daily average rainfall for either group. Household-level mosquito and midge numbers were both significantly reduced by the PI intervention 56% [incidence rate ratio, IRR = 0.54 (95% CI: 0.30-0.97), P ≤ 0.05] and 53% [IRR = 0.47 (95% CI: 0.26-0.85), P ≤ 0.05], respectively, compared to the control intervention. The abundance of both dipteran groups at dog sleeping sites was largely unaffected by the PI and DC interventions. The PI intervention significantly reduced abundance of mosquitoes inside houses (41%) and at chicken roosting sites (48%) and reduced midge abundance by 51% in chicken roosting sites. CONCLUSIONS: Sprayed insecticide at chicken roosting sites reduced the abundance of mosquitoes and midges at the peridomestic level while dog collars had no effect on numbers for any group.

Redescription of immatures of Dasyhelea flavifrons Guérin-Méneville (Culicomorpha: Ceratopogonidae) and new contribution to the knowledge of its larval habitats.

The fourth instar larva and pupa of Dasyhelea flavifrons Guérin-Méneville are redescribed, illustrated, and photomicrographed using binocular, phase-contrast, and scanning electron microscopy. Comparisons with the American species of the grisea group were made. The immatures were collected by using a siphon bottle in tree-holes and from water collected in dead snail shells in Salta Province, Argentina, transported to the laboratory and there bred to the emergence of the adults. Details on larval habitats are given. These are the first records from Argentina and in gastrotelmata.

The Biting Midges of the Caribbean island Curaçao (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). I. Species in the genus Dasyhelea Kieffer.

We document the first records of biting midges in the genus Dasyhelea Kieffer (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from Curaçao: Dasyhelea azteca Huerta & Grogan, D. bahamensis (Johnson), D. cincta (Coquillett), D. corinneae Gosseries, D. flavifrons (Guérin-Méneville) and D. grisea (Coquillett). The following six new species of Dasyhelea are described from this Caribbean island and their key features are presented in color photographs and illustrations: D. aliciae n. sp., D. recurva n. sp., D. latiala n. sp., D. rhopaloparamera n. sp., D. cyrtostyla n. sp., and D. curacaoensis n. sp. We also provide a key to males and females of all known species of Dasyhelea from Curaçao.

Yungahelea, a new genus of predaceous midge from northwestern Argentina (Culicomorpha: Ceratopogonidae).

A new monotypic genus and species of predaceous midge from the southernmost area of the Argentinean Yungas, Yungahelea australis Spinelli and Ronderos, is described and illustrated from male and female adults. It belongs to a group containing the Ceratopogonini genera Parabezzia Malloch, Diaphanobezzia Ingram and Macfie, Spinellihelea Borkent, Grogan and Picado, Leptohelea Wirth and Blanton, and Fittkauhelea Wirth and Blanton. Phylogenetic interpretation indicates that Yungahelea is the sister group of Spinellihelea or the clade composed by Parabezzia and Diaphanobezzia.

Yungahelea, a new genus of predaceous midge from northwestern Argentina (Culicomorpha: Ceratopogonidae)

ABSTRACT A new monotypic genus and species of predaceous midge from the southernmost area of the Argentinean Yungas, Yungahelea australis Spinelli and Ronderos, is described and illustrated from male and female adults. It belongs to a group containing the Ceratopogonini genera Parabezzia Malloch, Diaphanobezzia Ingram and Macfie, Spinellihelea Borkent, Grogan and Picado, Leptohelea Wirth and Blanton, and Fittkauhelea Wirth and Blanton. Phylogenetic interpretation indicates that Yungahelea is the sister group of Spinellihelea or the clade composed by Parabezzia and Diaphanobezzia.

Biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from an urban forest fragment in Central Amazon (Brazil): Effects of opening areas on abundance, richness, and composition.

We assessed the immature stages of Ceratopogonidae (Diptera) in artificial containers in an urban forest fragment in Manaus (Brazil), including their behavioral, biological and ecological information. In addition, we evaluated the effects of deforestation in an open and forested area on Ceratopogonidae communities. Immatures were sampled between August 2012 and July 2014 in artificial containers installed in both habitat types. We collected 685 immatures of seven morpho-species of Bezzia Kieffer, Culicoides Latreille, Dasyhelea Kieffer, Forcipomyia Meigen, and Palpomyia Meigen. In the open area, we recorded higher temperature and electrical conductivity values than in the forested area; however, these variables did not differ between seasons. Water volume was higher in open area and in rainy season, while pH was similar in both areas and seasons. Species richness was higher in forested area, but did not differ between seasons. We did not record differences in abundance between areas or seasons. Community composition differed between areas, but not between seasons. We provide the first records of Culicoides (Hoffmania) insignis Lutz and C. (Haematomyidium) quasiparaensis Clastrier in artificial containers from the state of Amazonas. Our results suggest that the preservation of forested areas in Amazonas is fundamental for the maintenance of the life cycle of some species of Ceratopogonidae.

Biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from an urban forest fragment in Central Amazon (Brazil): Effects of opening areas on abundance, richness, and composition

ABSTRACT We assessed the immature stages of Ceratopogonidae (Diptera) in artificial containers in an urban forest fragment in Manaus (Brazil), including their behavioral, biological and ecological information. In addition, we evaluated the effects of deforestation in an open and forested area on Ceratopogonidae communities. Immatures were sampled between August 2012 and July 2014 in artificial containers installed in both habitat types. We collected 685 immatures of seven morpho-species of Bezzia Kieffer, Culicoides Latreille, Dasyhelea Kieffer, Forcipomyia Meigen, and Palpomyia Meigen. In the open area, we recorded higher temperature and electrical conductivity values than in the forested area; however, these variables did not differ between seasons. Water volume was higher in open area and in rainy season, while pH was similar in both areas and seasons. Species richness was higher in forested area, but did not differ between seasons. We did not record differences in abundance between areas or seasons. Community composition differed between areas, but not between seasons. We provide the first records of Culicoides (Hoffmania) insignis Lutz and C. (Haematomyidium) quasiparaensis Clastrier in artificial containers from the state of Amazonas. Our results suggest that the preservation of forested areas in Amazonas is fundamental for the maintenance of the life cycle of some species of Ceratopogonidae.

Description of fourth instar larva and pupa of Atrichopogon delpontei Cavalieri and Chiossone (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from Brazilian Amazonia.

The fourth instar larva and pupa of Atrichopogon delpontei Cavalieri and Chiossone are described for the first time. The immatures were collected from stream margins in the northern Brazilian states Rondônia and Piauí, and subsequently reared to adults. Larvae and pupae are illustrated and photomicrographed. Details on the rearing process and feeding behavior in laboratory, bionomics and notes on habitats are also provided.

The Neotropical species of the predaceous midge genus Austrohelea Wirth & Grogan (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae).

Two new Neotropical species of the predaceous midge genus Austrohelea Wirth & Grogan, A. sirii n. sp. and A. spinosa n. sp., and the previously known A. shannoni (Wirth & Blanton) are described, illustrated and photomicrographs provided of male and female specimens collected from several localities in Argentine and Chilean Patagonia. The similarities and differences between the three Neotropical species are discussed, and a key is provided of the males and females of these three species. The distribution of A. shannoni is extended to the southernmost region of South America.

Description of fourth instar larva and pupa of Atrichopogon delpontei Cavalieri and Chiossone (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from Brazilian Amazonia

ABSTRACT The fourth instar larva and pupa of Atrichopogon delpontei Cavalieri and Chiossone are described for the first time. The immatures were collected from stream margins in the northern Brazilian states Rondônia and Piauí, and subsequently reared to adults. Larvae and pupae are illustrated and photomicrographed. Details on the rearing process and feeding behavior in laboratory, bionomics and notes on habitats are also provided.

The biting and predaceous midges of Guadeloupe (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). II. Species of the subfamily Dasyheleinae.

We provide descriptions, photographs and illustrations of 13 new species and new records of eight other species of biting midges in the genus Dasyhelea Kieffer from Guadeloupe. Included are the first Guadeloupe records of D. bermudae Wirth & Williams, D. caribbeana Spinelli & Wirth, D. cincta (Coquillett), D. flavifrons (Guérin-Méneville), D. grisea (Coquillett), D. griseola Wirth, D. luteogrisea Wirth & Williams and D. pseudoincisurata Waugh & Wirth. The previously unknown male of D. caribbeana is described and illustrated, and, a key is provided for the 24 species of Dasyhelea known from Guadeloupe.

Description of the last instar larva and new contributions to the knowledge of the pupa of Dasyhelea mediomunda Minaya (Diptera, Culicomorpha, Ceratopogonidae).

The fourth instar larva of Dasyhelea mediomunda Minaya is described for the first time and a complete description of the pupa is provided, through use of phase-contrast microscope and scanning electron microscope. Studied specimens were collected in a pond connected to a small wetland "mallin" on the Patagonian steppe, Chubut province, Argentina.

Additional notes on biting midges from the subtropical forest of northeastern Argentina (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae).

Adult males and pupae of Culicoides guarani Ronderos & Spinelli and Parabezzia brasiliensis Spinelli & Grogan are fully described and illustrated with a modern criterium from material recently collected in the vicinities of the city of Posadas in Misiones province, Argentina. Both species are compared with their most similar congeners. Besides, Bezzia blantoni Spinelli & Wirth and B. brevicornis (Kieffer) are firstly recorded from Misiones province.

The immatures of Culicoides lacustris Ronderos (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae).

Larva and pupa of the Patagonian species Culicoides lacustris Ronderos are described in detail with phase-contrast microscope at oil immersion and scanning electron microscope. Studied specimens were collected in a wetland, alongside to the Provincial Route 12, between the cities of Esquel and Gualjaina in the Chubut Province. They are compared with the more similar congener, Culicoides venezuelensis Ortiz & Mirsa.