Diversity of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Rural Settlements and Degraded Seasonal Deciduous Forests.

Biting midges are widespread in Brazilian natural ecosystems. However, deforestation and other activities that impact the environment are reducing natural habitats where biting midges proliferate. The objective of this study was to verify whether there is variation in the composition, richness, abundance, and seasonality of biting midges between wild and rural environments, in a forest area with intense deforestation. Biting midges were captured using 6 traps installed at an average height of 1.5 m in the peridomicile, intradomicile, and deciduous seasonal forests, once a month from May 2012 to April 2013. In total, 2,182 specimens of 13 species of the genus Culicoides were captured. Species richness was similar in the intradomicile (13 species), forest (12), and peridomicile (11), but species diversity was greater in the peridomicile (H' = 0.803) compared with the intradomicile (H' = 0.717) and forest (H' = 0.687). The order of species dominance varied between the forest (Culicoides paucienfuscatus Barbosa > Culicoides leopodoi Ortiz > Culicoides foxi Ortiz > Culicoides ignacioi Forattini) and peridomicile + intradomicile habitats (C. paucienfuscatus > C. foxi > C. filariferus Hoffman > C. ignacioi). The activity of these dipterans was strongly influenced by meteorological variables, as biting midges are predominant in the rainy season (80.7% of specimens), when higher rainfall, relative humidity, and lower temperatures prevail. The abundance of biting midges was higher in the peridomicile + intradomicile (83.7% of specimens) compared with the degraded forest (16.3%), a result that reflects the loss of forest habitat due to intense and progressive deforestation.

Description of three new species of biting midge of the genus emAtrichopogon/em Kieffer (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from Brazilian Amazon.

Three new species of Atrichopogon with spotted wings of the family Ceratopogonidae (Diptera: Culicomorpha) from the Amazonas State of Brazil are described and illustrated. Male and female specimens of Atrichopogon janseni sp. nov., A. riopardensis sp. nov., and A. sergioluzi sp. nov. were associated by wing pigmentation patterns: with two darker spots, one over r-m and the other one in cell r3, posterior to the apex of R3. Male A. janseni sp. nov. have tergite 9 that is 2.5 × as broad as long, not extending to the apex of gonocoxite, and sternite 9 stout, sub-trapezoidal, with distal margin with a row of stout spines; gonostylus of A. janseni sp. nov. is spatulate, with distinct middle notch. Atrichopogon riopardensis sp. nov. is separated from other species with similar wing patterns and forked gonostylus, with gonostylus forked near midlength, with longitudinal furrow, inner portion short and fingernail-like, outer portion elongate and apically curved directed mesally; outer portion is 4 × longer than inner, with one long seta in basal 1/3. Contrastingly, A. sergioluzi sp. nov. has a small fork at the apex of gonostylus, and cercus broad basally with rounded tip. Females of the three new species are very similar (as are other females in this group), and it is probably not possible to distinguish them using the morphological features described. With the addition of the three new species described here, there are now known 15 Neotropical species of Atrichopogon with pigmented wings.

An approach to automatic classification of Culicoides species by learning the wing morphology.

Fast and accurate identification of biting midges is crucial in the study of Culicoides-borne diseases. In this work, we propose a two-stage method for automatically analyzing Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) species. First, an image preprocessing task composed of median and Wiener filters followed by equalization and morphological operations is used to improve the quality of the wing image in order to allow an adequate segmentation of particles of interest. Then, the segmentation of the zones of interest inside the biting midge wing is made using the watershed transform. The proposed method is able to produce optimal feature vectors that help to identify Culicoides species. A database containing wing images of C. obsoletus, C. pusillus, C. foxi, and C. insignis species was used to test its performance. Feature relevance analysis indicated that the mean of hydraulic radius and eccentricity were relevant for the decision boundary between C. obsoletus and C. pusillus species. In contrast, the number of particles and the mean of the hydraulic radius was relevant for deciding between C. foxi and C. insignis species. Meanwhile, for distinguishing among the four species, the number of particles and zones, and the mean of circularity were the most relevant features. The linear discriminant analysis classifier was the best model for the three experimental classification scenarios previously described, achieving averaged areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.98, 0.90, and 0.96, respectively.

Diversity of biting midges Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), potential vectors of disease, in different environments in an Amazonian rural settlement, Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: The Culicoides transmit a variety of pathogens. Our aim was to survey the Culicoides species occurring in an Amazonian rural settlement, comparing abundance, richness, and diversity in different environments. METHODS: Culicoides were captured using CDC light traps. The Shannon-Wiener (H') and Rényi indices were used to compare species diversity and evenness between environments, the equitability (J') index was used to calculate the uniformity of distribution among species, and similarity was estimated using the Jaccard similarity index. A permutational multivariate analysis of variance was applied to assess the influence of environment on species composition. A non-metric dimensional scale was used to represent the diversity profiles of each environment in a multidimensional space. RESULTS: 6.078 Culicoides were captured, representing 84 species (45 valid species/39 morphotypes). H' values showed the following gradient: forest > capoeira > peridomicile > forest edge. The equitability J' was greater in capoeira and forests compared to peridomiciles and the forest edge. The population compositions of each environment differed statistically, but rarefaction estimates indicate that environments of the same type possessed similar levels of richness. Species of medical and veterinary importance were found primarily in peridomiciles: C. paraensis, vector of Oropouche virus; C. insignis and C. pusillus, vectors of Bluetongue virus; C. filariferus, C. flavivenula, C. foxi, and C. ignacioi, found carrying Leishmania DNA. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that diversity was higher in natural environments than in anthropized environments, while abundance and richness were highest in the most anthropized environment. These findings suggest that strictly wild Culicoides can adapt to anthropized environments.

Schizonyxhelea thomsenae (Wirth), description of the pupa and first records from Argentina, Brazil and Peru (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae).

The pupa of Schizonyxhelea thomsenae (Wirth) is described and illustrated from material collected in Misiones province, Argentina. A key for the four known species of pupae of Schizonyxhelea is given, a diagnosis and photographs of the adult are also provided, and the geographic distribution of the species in the Neotropical region is enlarged including first records from Argentina, Brazil and Peru based mainly on adult specimens.

Diversity of biting midges Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), potential vectors of disease, in different environments in an Amazonian rural settlement, Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The Culicoides transmit a variety of pathogens. Our aim was to survey the Culicoides species occurring in an Amazonian rural settlement, comparing abundance, richness, and diversity in different environments. METHODS: Culicoides were captured using CDC light traps. The Shannon-Wiener (H') and Rényi indices were used to compare species diversity and evenness between environments, the equitability (J') index was used to calculate the uniformity of distribution among species, and similarity was estimated using the Jaccard similarity index. A permutational multivariate analysis of variance was applied to assess the influence of environment on species composition. A non-metric dimensional scale was used to represent the diversity profiles of each environment in a multidimensional space. RESULTS: 6.078 Culicoides were captured, representing 84 species (45 valid species/39 morphotypes). H' values showed the following gradient: forest > capoeira > peridomicile > forest edge. The equitability J' was greater in capoeira and forests compared to peridomiciles and the forest edge. The population compositions of each environment differed statistically, but rarefaction estimates indicate that environments of the same type possessed similar levels of richness. Species of medical and veterinary importance were found primarily in peridomiciles: C. paraensis, vector of Oropouche virus; C. insignis and C. pusillus, vectors of Bluetongue virus; C. filariferus, C. flavivenula, C. foxi, and C. ignacioi, found carrying Leishmania DNA. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that diversity was higher in natural environments than in anthropized environments, while abundance and richness were highest in the most anthropized environment. These findings suggest that strictly wild Culicoides can adapt to anthropized environments.

Diversity patterns of hematophagous insects in Atlantic forest fragments and human-modified areas of southern Bahia, Brazil.

There have been several important outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases in the Neotropics in recent years, particularly in Brazil. Some taxa are also considered to be indicators of environmental health. Despite the importance of understanding insect abundance and distribution to the understanding of disease dynamics and design strategies to manage them, very little is known about their ecology in many tropical regions. We studied the abundance and diversity of mosquitoes and sand flies in the Bahia State of Brazil, a point of origin for arbovirus outbreaks, including Zika and Chikungunya fever. During 2009-2014, 51 mosquito taxa were identified, belonging to three dipteran families, Ceratopogonidae, Culicidae, and Psychodidae. The family Culicidae, including the Sabethini tribe, were the most abundant (81.5%) and most taxa-rich (n=45). While season (winter and summer) was a strong factor determinant of the occurrence of the most abundant taxa, the stratification level in the forest (ground or tree level) had a strong effect and the dominant taxa at ground level were completely different from the dominant species collected at tree level. We suggest that sites with a mix of forest and agroforestry systems support the highest biodiversity of hematophagous insects as compared to highly disturbed landscapes.

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.

Two new Neotropical species of the Dasyhelea mutabilis group (Culicomorpha: Ceratopogonidae)

Two new species of Dasyhelea Kieffer, Dasyhelea jorgei Diaz, Felippe-Bauer & Spinelli sp. nov. and Dasyhelea mineira Diaz, Felippe-Bauer & Spinelli sp. nov. are described, illustrated and photographed from Peru and Brazil respectively, based on male and female adults. These species are typical members of mutabilis species group and are compared with similar species within the group.

Macho y hembra de dos nuevas especies de Dasyhelea Kieffer, Dasyhelea jorgei Díaz sp. nov. and Dasyhelea mineira Díaz sp. nov., se describen, ilustran y fotografían provenientes de Perú y Brasil respectivamente. Ambas especies son típicos miembros del grupo mutabilis y son comparadas con las especies similares dentro del grupo.

Two new Neotropical species of the Dasyhelea mutabilis group (Culicomorpha: Ceratopogonidae)

Two new species of Dasyhelea Kieffer, Dasyhelea jorgei Diaz, Felippe-Bauer & Spinelli sp. nov. and Dasyhelea mineira Diaz, Felippe-Bauer & Spinelli sp. nov. are described, illustrated and photographed from Peru and Brazil respectively, based on male and female adults. These species are typical members of mutabilis species group and are compared with similar species within the group.(AU)

Macho y hembra de dos nuevas especies de Dasyhelea Kieffer, Dasyhelea jorgei Díaz sp. nov. and Dasyhelea mineira Díaz sp. nov., se describen, ilustran y fotografían provenientes de Perú y Brasil respectivamente. Ambas especies son típicos miembros del grupo mutabilis y son comparadas con las especies similares dentro del grupo.(AU)

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.

FAMILY MYCETOPHILIDAE.

The Mycetophilidae include small fungus-gnats which life cycle is associated with fungi, especially of the larvae. The known diversity of the family in the Neotropical region is 1,145 species, but only some very few papers have been published on the Colombian species of Mycetophilidae, with records for the genera Docosia Winnertz, Paraleia Tonnoir, and Dziedzickia Johannsen. This catalogue gathers the information available on mycetophilids from Colombia, including genera and some species that for the first time are mentioned to occur in the country-as Leiella unicincta Edwards and Leiella zonalis Edwards.

FAMILY CERATOPOGONIDAE.

Two hundred and thirty five species of Ceratopogonids arranged in 28 genera are listed for Colombia, mostly Culicoides (112 species) and Forcipomyia (50 species). For each listed species, information on type locality, type category and sex, location of type material, species distribution, localities for Colombia and main references, is provided. Localities are not specified for 17 species in which the literature searching was negative. Forcipomyia squamitibia Lutz and Bezzia clavipennis are excluded from the list.

Two new species of the subgenus Acanthohelea of Stilobezzia from Brazilian Amazonia (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae).

The predaceous genus Stilobezzia Kieffer is a large, diverse group of Ceratopogonidae that is worldwide in distribution except for Antarctica and some islands (Borkent 2014). Adult females are important predators on other small insects, and the immature stages are found in a wide variety of aquatic and semiaquatic habitats, including streams, lakes and pond margins, puddles, swamps, rice fields, rock pools, and tree holes (de Meillon and Wirth 1991; Cazorla et al. 2006).

A new species of the predaceous midge genus Brachypogon Kieffer from the Neotropical Region and first description of the female of Brachypogon (Isohelea) cuacuahuitlus Huerta & Borkent (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae).

The predaceous midge genus Brachypogon Kieffer is presently known in Mexico by Brachypogon (Brachypogon) fuscivenosus (Lutz, 1914), B. (B.) bimaculatus Spinelli & Grogan, 1998, B. (B.) woodruffi Spinelli & Grogan, 1998 and B. (Isohelea) cuacuahuitlus Huerta & Borkent, 2005. In this contribution a new species, Brachypogon (Brachypogon) ginue, is described and illustrated from a male specimen collected in Tlanchinol, State of Hidalgo, Mexico. This new species belongs to the impar species group. The first description of the female of Brachypogon (Isohelea) cuacuahuitlus Huerta & Borkent is also provided.

Culicoides castelloni sp. nov. from the Brazilian Amazon Region with a revision of the reticulatus species group (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae).

A new species of the reticulatus species group, C. castelloni Santarém and Felippe-Bauer, is described and illustrated based on female specimens from the state of Amazonas, Brazil. A systematic key, wing photographs and table with numerical characters of females and a synopsis of 24 species of the Culicoides reticulatus group are presented. This paper presents further new records for seven species of the reticulatus group.

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.