identifier	taxonID	type	CVterm	format	language	title	description	additionalInformationURL	UsageTerms	rights	Owner	contributor	creator	bibliographicCitation
038787B6FFCDFFE0FF77FE43FA19FECC.text	038787B6FFCDFFE0FF77FE43FA19FECC.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Culex Linnaeus 1758	<div><p>Pictorial key to the fourth-instar larvae of the subgenera and species of Culex</p><p>1. Thorax and abdomen spiculate (Fig. 5A); seta 4-X (ventral brush) with 1 or more precratal setae (Fig. 5B).............. 2</p><p>- Thorax and abdomen not spiculate (Fig. 5C); seta 4-X without precratal setae (Fig. 5D) (Note 1)...................... 5</p><p>2(1). Seta 3-P more than 0.5 length of setae 1,2-P (Fig. 6A); seta 1-S (siphonal tufts) unpaired, occurring in a single median posterior row (Fig. 6B); siphon with 2 or more (usually more) anterolateral setae on each side (Fig. 6C); seta 2-S (apicodorsal seta of siphon) large and hooked (Fig. 6C) (subgenus Maillotia)...................................................... 3</p><p>- Seta 3-P about 0.5 or less length of setae 1,2-P (Fig. 6D); seta 1-S more or less paired, occurring in 2 posterolateral rows (Fig. 6E); siphon without anterolateral setae (Fig. 6F); seta 2-S small and straight, not hooked (Fig. 6F) [SI 6.0–7.0; PTF 1:1:3:2:1:1:3] (subgenus Neoculex).......................................................... territans (Note 2)</p><p>3(2). Siphon with numerous strong seta 2a-S (apico-dorsal setae) on distal 0.67 (Fig. 7A); seta 1-S (siphonal tuft) inserted beyond pecten (Fig. 7A); seta 1-C cylindrical (Fig. 7B) [SI ˂ 5.0 (4.4); PTF 3–4:1:2:3:1:1:3].......................... arbieeni</p><p>- Siphon without seta 2a-S (Fig. 7C); usually at least 1 pair of seta 1-S inserted within pecten (Fig. 7C); seta 1-C spiniform (Fig. 7D) [SI ˃ 5.0]........................................................................................ 4</p><p>4(3). Seta 3-P (prothoracic seta 3) bifid (Fig. 8A); seta 8-P (prothoracic seta 8) usually single (Fig. 8A); seta 1-S (siphonal tufts) often less than 0.3 length of siphon (Fig. 8B); anal papillae (gills) longer than saddle (Fig. 8C) [siphon/saddle index ˃ 4.0; SI ≥ 6.5 (6.5–8.0); PTF 1:1:2–3:4:1:1:3]............................................................. hortensis (Note 3)</p><p>- Seta 3-P single (Fig. 8D); seta 8-P usually with 2 or 3 branches (Fig. 8D); seta 1-S often more than 0.3 length of siphon (Fig. 8E); anal papillae shorter than saddle (Fig. 8F) [siphon/saddle index ˂ 4.0; SI ˂ 6.5 (6.0–6.4); PTF 1:1:1:3:1:1:4]..................................................................................................... deserticola</p><p>5(1). Seta 1-S (siphonal tufts) in a single row, with all elements arranged in a more or less straight line (Fig. 9A); seta 3-C absent (Fig. 9B) (subgenus Barraudius)............................................................................. 6</p><p>- Setae 1-S in 1 or 2 rows, with 1-3 elements distinctly out of line with the others (inserted laterally) (Fig. 9C); seta 3-C usually present (may be absent in some species, e.g. Cx. (Cux.) pipiens and Cx. (Cux.) vishnui) (Fig. 9D)...................... 7</p><p>6(5). Pecten at least 0.5 length of siphon (Fig. 10A); 2 apical seta 1-S (siphonal tuft) at least as long as width of siphon at point of attachment (Fig. 10A); 2 pairs of seta 1-S inserted within pecten (Fig. 10A); anal papillae (gills) about 0.5 length of saddle, scarcely longer than diameter, dorsal pair slightly longer than ventral pair (Fig. 10A) [SI about 3.0 (2.6–3.2); PTF 1:1:1:2:1:1:3].................................................................................. pusillus</p><p>- Pecten less than 0.5 length of siphon (Fig. 10B); 2 apical seta 1-S shorter than width of siphon at point of attachment (Fig. 10B); 1 pair of seta 1-S inserted within pecten (Fig. 10B); anal papillae slightly shorter than saddle, slender and tapering, same length (Fig. 10B) [SI about 4.0 or more (3.8–5.0); PTF 1:1:1:1–2:1:1:3]......................................... modestus</p><p>7(5). Dorsomentum of head a straight-sided triangle with minutely serrate margins (Fig. 11A); pecten very short, with 7–9 spines grouped at base of siphon, shorter than 0.1 length of siphon (Fig. 11B); seta 1-A (antennal tuft) inserted near mid-length of antenna (Fig. 11C); median labral plate (preclypeus or labrum) indistinguishably fused to dorsal apotome (frontoclypeus) (Fig. 11D) [SI 6.8 (5.0–8.4); siphon/saddle index 4.84 (3.89–5.69); PTF 1:1:1:1–2:1:1:3] (subgenus Oculeomyia).................................................................................................... bitaeniorhynchus</p><p>- Dorsomentum an imperfect triangle with large teeth (Fig. 11E); pecten much longer, about 0.33 length of siphon (Fig. 11F); seta 1-A inserted near apex of antenna (Fig. 11G); median labral plate distinct, separated by suture from dorsal apotome (Fig. 11H) (subgenus Culex)..................................................................................... 8</p><p>8(7). Some or all comb scales spiniform, with pointed apex and fringe at sides (Fig. 12A)................................ 9</p><p>- All comb scales evenly fringed at sides and apex (Fig. 12B).................................................. 13</p><p>9(8). Comb with fewer than 25 spiniform scales (usually fewer than 20), each with a distinct and stout apical spine (Fig. 13A) [SI 5.4 (4.4–6.9); siphon/saddle index 3.61 (3.13–4.29); PTF 1:1:1:1–3:1:1:3] (Note 4).......................... pseudovishnui</p><p>- Comb with more than 25 spiniform scales, each without such a distinct and stout apical spine (Fig. 13B)............... 10</p><p>10(9). Seta 2-S long and curved (Fig. 14A); antenna with setae 2,3-A (subapical setae) arise at 0.3–0.5 distance between the apical setae and seta 1-A (antennal tuft) (Fig. 14B); seta 1-C (preclypeal seta) stout, distinctly thicker than branches of setae 5,6-C (inner and median frontal setae), dark (Fig. 14C) [SI 6.0 (4.5–7.4); siphon/saddle index 4.22 (3.90–4.65); PTF 1:1:1:1:1:1:2– 3].......................................................................................... mimeticus</p><p>- Seta 2-S always straight (Fig. 14D); setae 2,3-A arise adjacent to the apical setae (Fig. 14E); seta 1-C slender, usually not thicker than the branches of setae 5,6-C, dark or pale (Fig. 14F)..................................................... 11</p><p>11(10). Siphon with all elements of seta 1-S (siphonal tufts) arising laterally and posterolaterally, with 1–4 branches (Fig. 15A); siphonal trachea narrow, less than 0.5 width of siphon (Fig. 15A); pecten spines not large and curved (Fig. 15B); some anterior scales of comb evenly fringed at sides and apex (Fig. 15C) [SI ˃ 5.5 (6.9; 5.9–8.1); siphon/saddle index 3.60 (3.35–3.80); PTF 1:1:1:1–4:1:1:3]............................................................................... sinaiticus</p><p>- Siphon with most elements of seta 1-S arising relatively close to posterior midline, with 4–11 branches (Fig. 15D); siphonal trachea broad, more than 0.5 width of siphon (Fig. 15D); more distal pecten spines very large and curved (Fig. 15E); all scales of comb spiniform (Fig. 15F) [SI ˂ 5.5 (4.7; 4.1–5.4); siphon/saddle index 3.33 (3.15–3.46); PTF 1:1:1:2:1:1:3–4]................................................................................................ theileri (Note 5)</p><p>13(8). Distal pecten spines with 7 or more ventral denticles of similar size arising along entire length (Fig. 16A); seta 1-C (preclypeal seta) dark, stout, spiniform or foliform, abruptly pointed or blunt apically, distinctly thicker than the branches of setae 5,6-C (inner and median frontal setae) (Fig. 16B, C).............................................................. 14</p><p>- Distal pecten spines with 2–5 ventral denticles of different sizes arising proximally (Fig. 16D); seta 1-C usually pale or pigmented, never dark, slender, scarcely if at all thicker than the branches of setae 5,6-C (Fig. 16E, F)................. 15</p><p>14(13). Setae 1-S (siphonal tufts) mostly inserted in irregular row on posterior margin of siphon (Fig. 17A); anal papillae (gills) very small and globular, about 0.5 or less length of saddle (Fig. 17A); seta 1-X (saddle seta) usually single (Fig. 17B); seta 1-C (preclypeal seta) markedly flattened, or somewhat foliform, with blunt apex (Fig. 17C) [SI ˂ 5.0 (3.8, 3.6–4.6); siphon/saddle index 3.71 (3.03–4.29); PTF 1:1:1:2:1:1:2–3]........................................................... sitiens</p><p>- Setae 1-S in posterolateral pairs (Fig. 17D); anal papillae elongate, never globular (Fig. 17D); seta 1-X usually triple (2–4) (Fig. 17E); seta 1-C slender and spiniform, with acuminate apex (Fig. 17F) [SI ˃ 5.0 (6.3, 5.7–7.0); siphon/saddle index 4.73 (4.23–6.14); PTF 1:1:1:1–2:1:1:2–3].................................................. tritaeniorhynchus (Note 6)</p><p>15(13). Siphon with 6–8 pairs of seta 1-S (siphonal tufts), with 1 pair arising laterally, 5–7 irregular pairs arising relatively close to posterior midline (Fig. 18A); seta 1-S with 2 pairs arising within pecten (Fig. 18A) [SI 3.5 (2.8–4.6); siphon/saddle index 3.02 (2.78–3.24); PTF 1:1:1:2:1:1:3–4]................................................................. laticinctus</p><p>- Siphon with 3–6 pairs of seta 1-S, with 1–3 pairs arising laterally and 2–4 pairs arising posterolaterally (Fig. 18B); seta 1-S at most with 1 pair arising within pecten (Fig. 18B)........................................................... 16</p><p>16(15). Seta 1-S (siphonal tufts) no longer than width of siphon at point of attachment, usually in 5 pairs (Fig. 19A); all seta 1-S subequal in length (Fig. 19A); seta 1-C (preclypeal seta) more or less stout, spiniform, never strongly tapered or filamentous (Fig. 19B).......................................................................................... 17</p><p>- Seta 1-S longer than width of siphon at point of attachment, usually in 4 pairs (Fig. 19C); at least basal 2 pairs of seta 1-S distinctly longer than apical setae (Fig. 19C); seta 1-C pale, very slender and distally strongly tapered or filamentous (Fig. 19D).............................................................................................. 18</p><p>17(16). Siphon with 3 lateral pairs of seta 1-S (siphonal tufts) (Fig. 20A); seta 1-M usually double or triple, sometimes single (Fig. 20B); seta 5-C (inner frontal seta) usually with 2 branches (Fig. 20C) [SI 6.8 (5.4–8.2); siphon/saddle index 4.35 (3.77–4.99); PTF 1:1:1:2:1:1:3]............................................................................ antennatus</p><p>- Siphon with 2 lateral pairs of seta 1-S (Fig. 20D); seta 1-M usually single, sometimes double (Fig. 20E); seta 5-C usually with 3 branches (Fig. 20F) [SI 6.8 (5.4–7.9); siphon/saddle index 4.44 (4.20–4.87); PTF 1:1:1:2:1:1:3–4].... perexiguus (Note 7)</p><p>18(16). Seta 1-III–V with 3–6 branches (usually 4 or 5), sum of their branches on one side of abdomen 10 or more (usually more) (Fig. 21A); seta 1-M normally double or triple (Fig. 21B); seta 1-X (saddle seta) usually double (Fig. 21C) [SI 5.2 (4.4–5.7); siphon/ saddle index 4.17 (3.92–4.65); PTF 1:1:1:2:1:1:2–3].......................................... torrentium (Note 8)</p><p>- Seta 1-III–V with 1–4 branches (usually 1 or 2), sum of their branches on one side of abdomen not exceeding 10 (usually 6 or fewer) (Fig. 21D); seta 1-M normally single (Fig. 21E); seta 1-X usually single (Fig. 21F).......................... 20</p><p>20(19). Average number of branches of seta 1a-S 8 (4–12) and 1b-S 7 (3–10) (Fig. 22A); seta 1-III, IV usually single (Fig. 22B); siphon usually widest at midlength, tapering more strongly apically than basally, width of siphon at apex more than 0.5 width at base (Fig. 22A) [SI never more than 4.6 usually about 4.0 (3.7; 2.8–4.6); siphon/saddle index ˂ 3.45, 3.11 (2.77–3.41); PTF 1:1:1:2:1:1:2]............................................................................ quinquefasciatus</p><p>- Average number of branches of seta 1a-S and 1b-S 3 (2–6) (Fig. 22C); seta 1-III, IV usually double (Fig. 22D); siphon widest at base, tapering towards apex, slightly sigmoid in lateral view (Fig. 22C) [SI usually about 5.0 (4.6; 3.0–5.8); siphon/saddle ˃ 3.45, 4.08 (3.48–4.63); PTF 1:1:1:2–3:1:1:2–3]........................................................ pipiens</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/038787B6FFCDFFE0FF77FE43FA19FECC	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Azari-Hamidian, Shahyad	Azari-Hamidian, Shahyad (2025): Pictorial key to the fourth-instar larvae of the subgenera and species of Culex (Diptera: Culicidae) known to occur in Iran. Zootaxa 5647 (6): 501-525, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.6.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.6.1
