Culicoides bancrofti Lee and Reye

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 : 54-56

Culicoides bancrofti Lee and Reye

( Figs 1, 3, 4, 7, 9 , 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20 , 22, 23, 24, 28 )

Culicoides bancrofti Lee and Reye 1953: 387 .

Dyce et al. 2007:34 (female wing illustrated)

Type material ex amined: Australia NSW Holotype, Hornsby Gulley, NSW, D.J. Lee, 29.Oct.1950, 1700 Hrs (female).

Non-type material examined. Australia NSW: Hornsby, 22.Oct.1968, Light Trap, D.J. Lee (1 female); Hornsby, 7.Feb.1957 Light Trap, D.J. Lee (1 male); Colovale 24.Apr.1956, Bottom St., 17.30–17.45, to man, B.S. Marlow (1 female); Colovale Stn., 6.Mar.1957, 1800–1815, W.W. Wirth (1 female); Colovale, Apr.1954 (1 female); Mogo S.F., 6.Oct.1981, ex light trap, P. Haycock & E. Walter (1 female); 5 ml. W. Nowra on Yalwal Rd., to man, 11.Dec.1966, G. Wellings (1 female); Warrah, lt tp, 5.Nov.1966, R. Holst (1 male); Mt. Dromidary, Lt Tr., 24.Nov.1965, I. Common and M. Upton (1 male); Pebbly Beach, 17.Nov.1960, I.F.B. Common & M. Upton (2 males). Vic: Sardine Ck, 7.Feb.1966, human bait, A.L. Dyce (1 female); Acheron R., 22.Jan.1966, aspirator to man A.L. Dyce (1 female); Combienbar Riv., 25km NE of Club Terace, 17.Mar.1977, A. Neboiss (1 female); Britannia Creek, 6 km S. Warburton, 27.Feb.1966, A. Neboiss (1 male).

Diagnosis. Apical pale spot in cell r5 ovoid and distant from apex of cell, 3rd palpal segment not markedly broader than 2nd segment, some capitate sensilla present on the surface of the 2nd segment. Female antennae with basal flagellomeres elongate vase-shaped, SCo distribution 1, 9–13, usually with multiple STc on flagellomeres 1–8.

Male antennae with SCo distribution 1, 11–13. Gonocoxite with long, thin ventral root, apicolateral processes very broad, meeting in middle of caudal margin.

Female.

Head. Eyes separated by a distance less than ¾ of one facet ( Fig 1 ). Palpus ( Fig 9 ) dark brown; 3rd segment cylindrical with numerous capitate sensilla scattered on the surface of the distal 2/3 of the segment, some capitate sensilla also present on the surface of 2nd segment. Flagellomeres ( Figs 11, 13 ) 2–8 elongate, vase-shaped with basal half clothed in microtrichea; 9–13 subcylindrical, little longer than basal flagellomeres.

Thorax. Legs ( Fig 7 ) dark brown, hind femora unbanded, mid and fore femora with subapical pale band, that on mid femora less pronounced, tibiae with pale subbasal band, apex unbanded. Wing ( Fig 3 ) strongly patterned, apical pale spot in cell r5 ovoid and distant from wing margin. Tibial comb ( Fig 18 ) with 5–6 spines, 2nd from spur longest. Haltere pale to light brown.

Male.

Head. Palpus with subcylindrical 3rd segment bearing few capitate sensilla, these mostly on the inner surface. Antenna ( Fig 14 ) with flagellomeres 11 and 12 each with a basal whorl of SCh.

Thorax. Wing ( Fig 4 ) patterned similarly to female with pale spots generally more expansive. Tibial comb with 4–6 spines, 2nd from spur longest.

Genitalia. Hypopygium ( Fig 22 ) with ninth tergite narrowed apically, apicolateral processes triangular with bases very broad, meeting medially forming a very deep median cleft. Ninth sternite with moderately deep caudomedial excavation. Gonocoxite with dorsal root simple; ventral root long, narrowing to a sharp point. Gonostylus slender, distally curving gently to a pointed apex. Aedeagus ( Fig 24 ) with moderately deep basal arch extending to about 1/2 of aedeagus length, septum narrow; distal process moderately long with a simple apex.

Immatures. Unknown.

Distribution. ( Fig 28 ) Australia: NSW, Vic.

Biology. Largely unknown. Lee et al. (1963) suggested adults were diurnally active or perhaps crepuscular. They also reported feeding on humans and label data on specimens examined herein supports this finding although this species is relatively uncommon in collections so is unlikely to be an important pest.

Remarks. This species can be distinguished from C. hornsbyensis by the small pale spot in cell r5 of the wing which does not approach the wing margin, the vase-like shape of basal flagellomeres of the female, the broad apicolateral processes of the male or the SCo distribution in both sexes. The presence of capitate sensilla on the second palpal segment is very unusual in the genus Culicoides and unique amongst the Australian fauna.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 10. Culicoides Bancrofti group species. C. bancrofti Lee & Reye, 1, female eye separation; 3, female wing; 4, male wing; 7, legs and 9, palpus. C. hornsbyensis Lee & Reye, 2, female eye separation; 5, female wing; 6, male wing; 8, legs and 10, palpus.

FIGURES 11 – 21. Culicoides Bancrofti group species. C. bancrofti Lee & Reye, 11, female antenna; 13, female flagellomere 6; 14, male antenna; 16, 17 spermathecae; 18, tibial comb; 20, mandibular teeth. C. hornsbyensis Lee & Reye, 12, female antenna; 15, male antenna; 17, spermathecae; 19, tibial comb; 21 mandibular teeth.

FIGURES 22 – 29. Culicoides Bancrofti group species. C. bancrofti Lee & Reye, 22, hypopygium; 23, parameres; 24, aedeagus; 28, distribution based on published records (Lee & Reye 1953; 1955) and specimens represented in ANIC. C. hornsbyensis Lee & Reye., 25, hypopygium; 26, parameres; 27, aedeagus; 29, distribution based on published records (Lee & Reye 1962) and specimens represented in ANIC.