Culicoides bancrofti

Bellis, Glenn & Dyce, Alan, 2012, Redescription of the adults of Culicoides bancrofti Lee and Reye and C. hornsbyensis Lee and Reye (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), Zootaxa 3566, pp. 51-60 : 53-54

Bancrofti Group

Nominate species: Culicoides bancrofti Lee and Reye 1953: 387 .

Diagnosis. The following features distinguish the Bancrofti species group from all other species of Culicoides: Third palpal segment of both sexes very elongate, at least four times the length of the 4th palpal segment and bearing large numbers of capitate sensilla on the inner surface, fourth tarsal segment cylindrical, female antennae bearing basal whorls of SCh on distal five flagellomeres, male parameres with straight unswollen stem, smoothly tapering to bare terminal part curved ventrolaterad and ending in sharp smooth point.

Description. Female —Eyes bare, separated. Antennae varied, flagellomeres sometimes elongated with flagellomeres 2–8 constricted subapically, otherwise moderately elongated with segments 2–8 barrel-shaped; SCo always present on 1, 9–13; basal whorl of SCh present on all flagellomeres; one pair of STl and at least one STc present on flagellomeres 2–8. Palpus with five segments, each supporting SCh, 3rd segment elongate, cylindrical or swollen, lacking a pit and bearing numerous capitate sensilla on the surface, in one species these sensilla are also present on segment 2. Mouthparts elongate, cibarium bare. Scutum inconspicuously patterned, legs weakly banded, hind tibial comb with four to six spines, first or second from spur longest. Wing with cells r1 and r2 subequal in length, cell r2 tip just clipped by poststigmatal pale spot, lumens not expansive; veins more or less infuscated, macrotrichia moderately dense overall except in basal anterior corner; pale markings large, distributed in all cells. Two similar sized, ovoid or round, developed spermathecae with long sclerotised necks and one vestigial present, sclerotized ring absent.

Male —Eyes bare. Antennae with plume of SCh on flagellomeres 1–10, flagellomeres 2–10 partially fused, 11–13 elongate and subcylindrical; SCo always present on 1, 11–13; pair of STl on flagellomeres 1–4, single STc present on at least flagellomeres 2–8; basal whorls of five to seven SCh on flagellomeres 11 and 12. Genitalia with ninth tergite bearing well developed apicolateral processes. Gonocoxite long and tapering apically, base broad with mesal patch of spiculae, ventral root variable, dorsal root elongate. Gonostylus long, gently curved, with sharply pointed or rounded knob apically. Ninth sternite with broad caudomedial excavation, membrane bare. Aedeagus with high arch; septum present or absent, body with smoothly rounded lateral shoulders leading to a tapered distal process, truncate or bifid at tip. Parameres separate, basal arm enlarged, angled at junction with straight unswollen stem, smoothly tapering to bare terminal part curved ventrolaterad and ending in sharp smooth point.

Immatures: Unknown.

Larval habitat: unknown