Hulecoeteomyia

Natarajan, R., Rajavel, A. R. & Jambulingam, P., 2016, Description of a new species of the genus Hulecoeteomyia (Diptera: Culicidae) from Meghalaya, India, Zootaxa 4137 (3), pp. 330-338 : 336-337

Keys to the Indian species of genus Hulecoeteomyia

Species of the genus Hulecoeteomyia known earlier in India include (1) Hl. chrysolineata from Bombay: Deccan, Nagargali; North Kanara: Kadra, Yellapur; Malabar: Pudupadi; Eastern Himalayas: Kurseong ( Barraud, 1934) and Karnataka: Nagarahole ( Satish Kumar et al., 2004), (2) Hl. fluviatilis (as saxicola) from Assam: Haflong, Cachar Hills; Eastern Himalayas: Kurseong, Darjeeling district ( Barraud, 1934), (3) Hl. formosensis from Assam: Shillong, Golaghat; Nongpoh, Khasi Hills district; Eastern Himalayas: Sureil, Kurseong ( Barraud, 1934) and Assam: Kaziranga; Meghalaya: Barapani, Cherrapunjee, Ladumsaw, Shillong; West Bengal: Mungpoo, Tung (Darjeeling) ( Rajavel et al., 2011), (4) Hl. harveyi from Eastern Himalayas: Kurseong, Mungpoo, Sureil, Tindharia, Sukna (Darjeeling), Madras: Coonoor; Mercara: Coorg ( Barraud, 1934) and Karnataka: Nagarahole ( Satish Kumar et al. 2004), (5) Hl. pallirostris from Assam: Golaghat ( Barraud, 1934) and Assam: GowalGaon, Balisohi, Khowang; Arunachal Pradesh: West Siang, DeepaBasti ( Tewari & Hiriyan, 1996).With the addition of the new species, genus Hulecoeteomyia is now represented by six species in India. Keys for the identification of the Indian species are as follow.

ADULTS

1. Proboscis entirely dark.......................................................................... fluviatilis

- Proboscis with a pale ring or pale scaling on underside....................................................... 2

2(1). Paratergite and subspiracular area with a patch of pale scales................................................... 3

- Paratergite and subspiracular area without a patch of pale scales................................................ 4

3(2). Proboscis pale on basal 0.8 on upper and lower surfaces............................................... pallirostris

- Proboscis pale on underside only................................................................ formosensis

4(2). Hindtarsus with 3 white rings........................................................................... 5

- Hindtarsus with 4 white rings.......................................................... cherrapunjiensis n. sp.

5(4). Proboscis extensively pale on underside and with white scaling forming a narrow band on dorsal surface..... chrysolineata

- Proboscis pale on underside only.................................................................... harveyi

LARVAE

1. Seta 7-T with stubby branches, distinctly different in shape and development from seta 6-M................... fluviatilis

- Seta 7-T with greatly elongate tapered branches, generally similar in shape and development to seta 6-M............... 2

2(1). None of the branches of seta 1-S reach apex of siphon........................................................ 3

- At least some branches of seta 1-S reach to or beyond apex of siphon........................................... 5

3(2). Seta -C with 2 branches; comb scales fringed.............................................. cherrapunjiensis n. sp.

- Seta 5-C with 9‒22 branches; comb scales with 1‒5 apical spines............................................... 4

4(3). Comb scales with 2‒5 large prominent apical spines and a few fine spicules laterally to base.................. pallirostris

- Comb scales with fine spicules basally, coarser ones apically, usually 1 apical spicule more strongly developed....................................................................................................... formosensis

5(2). Individual comb scales expanded apically; denticles of pecten spines small................................... harveyi

- Individual comb scales distinctly tapered to a stout central spine; denticles of pecten spines large, elongate, conspicuous............................................................................................... chrysolineata