Bloodsucking diptera (Culcidae, psychodidae, ceratopogonidae, simuliidae, tabanidae) collected in Suriname, 1978-1982

ABSTRACT

Notes are given on the distribution, biology and potential medical importance of 36 species of Culcidae (mosquitoes), 6 Psychodidae (sandflies), 14 Ceratopogonidae (biting midges), 3 Simuiidae (blackflies) and 14 Tabanidae (horseflies and deerflies) collected in Suriname from November 1978 to May 1982, mostly on human bait at night, in or near buildings. New records for Suriname are included for 5 species (1 Culicid, 1 Psychodid, 2 Simulids and 1 Tabanid). Mosquito attack rates were generally low in the rainforest region, with Anopheles darlingi and Psorophora albipes predominant; higher in the savanna region, with Culex portesi and Coquillettidia venezuelensis predominant; and also in the coastal region, with Ae. scapularis, Ae. serratus, Anopheles aquasalis, An. braziliensis and Mansonia titillans predominant in catches outdoors. Culex quinquefasiatus females were common in houses in the coast region and in settlements in the rainforest with septic tank systems. Aedes aegypti females were common in the coast region and also present in many villages in the rainforest, were Haemagogus janthinomys females, potential vectors of jungle yellow fever, were also found. Only 16 Psychodid females were found. the commonest were found, the commonest being Lutzomyia flaviscutellata and Lu. umbratilis. Ceratopogonidae were occasionaly troublesome in the rainforest region, with Culicoudes paraesis, C.pseudodiabolicus and C.foxi predominant; abundant near mangrove swamps in the coast region, with C. guyanensis and C. trinidadensis predominant. Simulium guianense females were troublesome in several localities in the rainforest region. The commonest Tabanids on human bait were Fidena pseudoaurimaculata and Dichelacera marginata in the rainforest region, Diachlorus bicinctus in the savanna region, Chrysops tristis in the coastal region and Lepiselaga crassipes in all regions......(AU)