Culicoides (H.) milnei Austen, 1909

Pielowska-Ceranowska, Agata & Szwedo, Jacek, 2020, Wing Interference Patterns in patterned wings of Culicoides Latreille, 1809 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) - exploring potential identification tool, Zootaxa 4868 (3), pp. 389-407 : 395-396

Culicoides (H.) milnei Austen, 1909

( Fig. 6a, b )

Chemical pigmentation ( Fig. 6a ). Light spots on a dark background. Pigment patterns with clearly defined boundaries. Distinct light spot covering the distal parts of sc and b cells, the proximal part of the r3 cell and the entire surface of the R-M crossvein. Two irregular light spots in r3 cell; the proximal covers most of the r2 cell including the end of C vein, and covers the wing edge; the distal, narrow and longitudinal, reaching from the M1 vein to the edge of the wing. Significant portion of the r3 cell is clearly more pigmented. Two relatively small light spots in m1 and m2 cells. One light spot in the cua1 cell reaching the margin of the wing. Three light spots in the anal cell; one large and irregular in the proximal part, and two, distal ones, much smaller.

Interference patterns ( Fig. 6b ). Dominant colours: blue, navy blue, brown to pale orange. Structural colours in place of naturally occurring bright spots, pale orange to light brown. Spots in the r3 cell brighter than others. Interference colours corresponding to the dark pigment on the wings mostly in shades of blue and purple. Venation clearly marked, veins surrounded by light brown bands. Distinct navy blue WIP pattern marking in the proximal part of the anal portion which is inperceptible in natural light.

WIP pattern more complex than pigmentation, the sculpture and thickness of veins very distinct.

Figures

FIGURE 6. Culicoides milnei (female—13), a—photograph of wing on white background, b—WIP visualization.