Simulium (Simulium) variegatum Meigen, 1818

Crosskey, Roger W. & Crosskey, Margaret E., 2000, An investigation of the black ¯ y fauna of Andalusia, southern Spain (Diptera: Simuliidae), Journal of Natural History 34 (6), pp. 895-951 : 933-934

22. Simulium (Simulium) variegatum Meigen

Spain references: Grenier and Bertrand (1954), Carlsson (1969, as Odagmia variegata and as

Odagmia ornata , in part), Beaucournu-Saguez (1975a, 1975b), GonzaÂlez PenÄa (1985),

GonzaÂlez PenÄa et al. (1986), GonzaÂlez PenÄa et al. (1987), GonzaÂlez PenÄa (1990), VincËon

and Clergue Gazeau (1993), GonzaÂlez (1997).

Andalusia records

Authors’ material. Site 23: 1m (1), 4 pupae, 6 larvae. Site 25: 4 pupae, 1 larva. Site 45: 1 pupa. Site 47: 1 (l1), 167 pupae, 195 larvae. Site 48: 1 larva. Site 53: 4 pupae, 23 larvae (26.v.1986). Site 55: 4 pupae, 2 larvae. Site 56: 34 pupae, 47 larvae. Site 57: 1 (l 1), 1m (1), 5 pupae, 42 larvae. Site 59: 2 pupae, 52 larvae. Site 65: 2 larvae. Site 66: 41 larvae. Site 67: 36 larvae. Site 69: 1 (l 1), 1m (1), 24 pupae, 149 larvae. Site 70: 1 pupa, 3 larvae. Site 74: 1m (1). Site 75: 1 pupa. Site 87: 1 larva (1`gillspot’ slide) (1.iii.1989). Site 89: 1 pupa, 24 larvae. Site 99: 2 pupae, 4 larvae. Site 106: 1, l 2m, 60 pupae, 54 larvae. Site 107: 1 (l1), 1m (1), 10 pupae, 3 larvae. Site 110: 1 larva. Site 112: 7 pupae. Site 118: 59 pupae, 169 larvae. Site 119: 3, l 3m (31.v.1986). Site 120: 123 pupae, 30 larvae (31.v.1986). Site 121: 29 pupae (31.v.1986). Site 122: 55 (l3 1), 51m (7 1), 146 pupae, 173 larvae. Site 126: 1 pupa, 58 larvae. Site 127: 1m (1), 3 pupae. Site 137: 7 pupae, 81 larvae.

Other specimens seen. Granada: 1m, 23 larvae, Sierra Nevada, N slope of Veleta, 2200 m [VG60], 26.vii.1960 (Vockeroth) (CNC) [misident.`Odagmia monticola ’ in Carlsson, 1969]; 1m, Sierra Nevada, N slope of Veleta, 2200 m [VG60], 30.vii.1960 (Vockeroth) (CNC) [ variegata in Carlsson, 1969]; 6 larvae, Granada, 700 m [VG41], 13.vii.1960 (Vockeroth) (CNC) [ variegata in Carlsson, 1969]; 2m, Sierra Nevada, Padul, 1300 m [VF49], 1.v.1966, and RõÂo LanjaroÂn, 9 km NW of Orgiva, 1600 m [VF58], 15.iv.1966 (Lyneborg and Langemark) (ZMC) [both misident.`Odagmia ornata ’ in Carlsson, 1969].

Previous reports. CoÂrboda: RõÂo Yeguas system, at three points (UH844471, UH849466, UH95336 2) (refs GonzaÂlez PenÄa et al., 1986; GonzaÂlez PenÄa, 1990). Granada: Sierra Nevada, RõÂo TreveÂlez [VF79] (refs Grenier and Bertrand, 1954; VincËon and Clergue-Gazeau, 1993); RõÂo LanjaroÂn [VF58] (ref. VincËon and Clergue- Gazeau, 1993); Pinos-Genil, RõÂo Genil [VG51] (ref. Beaucournu-Saguez, 1975a). MaÂlaga: RõÂo Campanillas (UF6588, UF6672), RõÂo Genal (TF9542), RõÂo Grande (UF3363) (refs GonzaÂlez PenÄa et al., 1987; GonzaÂlez PenÄa, 1990). (Also Carlsson, 1969: see data for specimens seen.)

Remarks

Pupae of S. variegatum are easily identi®ed by the pair of large oval protuberance s positioned anterodorsall y on the thorax between the gill bases. These structures were ®rst recorded by Puri (1925), who referred to them as patagia, a term by which they are still sometimes known in simuliid literature. However, we prefer to call them`thoracic bosses’, considering patagia an inapproriate term in the black¯y context: patagium is a term applied by lepidopterists (from whom Puri took it) to a lateral lobe of the adult pronotum, and applied by zoologists to a web or fold of skin in ¯ying and gliding vertebrates. The function of the thoracic bosses, unique to S. variegatum (and some immediate nominal allies of dubious validity), is unknown. They are present throughout the pupal/pharate adult life, stand up prominently when the pupa is seen in pro®le (®gure 45) and are very conspicuous on pupal exuviae (®gure 44).

The species is common in stony streams and rivers in the upland areas of Andalusia.