Six New Species of the Culex (Lophoceraomyia) Mammilifer Group from Thailand (Diptera: Culicidae)
Abstract
The most recent and complete taxonomic treatment of the Culex subgenus Lophoceraomyia in any area of South East Asia was that of Colless (1965). This study described 14 new species, revalidated five synonyms, and generally placed the taxonomy of this difficult group on a sound basis for future investigations. The present study describes six new species from Thailand, all of which belong to the mammilifer subgroup of the mammilifer group as defined by Colless (1965). The mammilifer group of the subgenus Lophoceraomyia is distinguished from the fraudatrix group mainly by the presence of a mammiliform protuberance on the inner surface of the male antennal torus. In the male terminalia, members of the mammilifer group exhibit both an internal process and a spinose or toothed dorsal process which compose the lateral plate of the phallosome; members of the fraudatrix group possess a toothless dorsal process only. In the larval stage members of the mammilifer group have head hairs 4-C distinctly longer than the distance between their bases, in contrast to the fraudatrix group in which these hairs are shorter than the distance between their bases. The mammilifer subgroup of the mammilifer group is recogized by the presence of one lower mesepimeral bristle in the adult, by the larval antenna with hairs 2 and 3 well separated from the apex of the shaft, and by the general container habitats of the larvae; the brevipalpus subgroup of the mammilifer group lacks a lower mesepimeral bristle in the adult, hairs 2 and 3 of the larval antenna are inserted at the apex of the shaft, and the larval habitat is generally restricted to pitcher plants (Nepenthes spp.).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- ADA509878
Entities
People
- Manop Rattanarithikul
- Ralph A. Bram
Organizations
- Smithsonian Institution