Culicoides collessi Bellis & Dyce

Bel Li, G. A., Dyce, A. L., Gopurenko, D. & Mitchell, A., 2013, Revision of the Immaculatus Group of Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from the Australasian Region with description of two new species, Zootaxa 3680 (1), pp. 15-37 : 25

Culicoides collessi Bellis & Dyce , sp. n.

Culicoides collessi Bellis & Dyce sp. n. ( Fig 3, 7 , 13, 14, 19 , 25, 26 , 33, 38 , 46, 47, 48 , 52 ) Immaculatus Gp sp.No1 Dyce et al. 2007:44 (female wing illustrated).

Type material examined. NEW CALEDONIA: Holotype: Thio, 11.Nov.1958 C.R. Joyce, Light trap (Ƥ, BPBM), Paratypes: same data as holotype, (4 Ƥ; 33; BPBM, 1Ƥ, 13, ANIC), Ouano Beach, 13.Nov.1958, C.R. Joyce (3 Ƥ, 3 3, BPBM). FIJI: Wakaya Is, open area adjacent to pigs, chickens and goats, 11.Dec.1983, L.T., J. Holt (1 Ƥ, BPBM, 1Ƥ NTQIC).

Diagnosis. Eyes pubescent in both sexes. Female antenna with SCo distribution 1–8, one pair of STl and STc on each of 2–8, six to eight SCh on 2–8 and on 13, fewer on remainder. Male antennae with plume of SCh on 1–10 although with numbers greatly reduced on 9 and 10, apicolateral processes on ninth tergite well developed, as long as basal width, ventral membrane of ninth sternite with few spicules which are confined to the anterior part.

Description. Adults with eyes densely hairy; 3rd palpal segment ( Fig 14 ) expanding apically then abruptly narrowed beyond round, shallow, sensory pit with several protruding capitate sensilla. Legs ( Fig 25 ) with hind tibial comb ( Fig 26 ) bearing four spines, first or first and second longest. Haltere pale. Fourth tarsal segment of all legs cylindrical. Female eyes separated by more than 1 facet ( Fig 3 ). Male antenna ( Fig 38 ) with flagellomeres 2–8 bearing plume of more than 10 SCh and flagellomeres 9 and 10 bearing a plume of less than five SCh. Hypopygium ( Fig 46 ) with apicolateral processes slightly longer than broad at base, caudal margin not cleft. Ninth sternite with caudomedial excavation absent or very shallow, ventral membrane with few spicules which are confined to the anterior part. Gonocoxite with dorsal root broadening to truncate apex. Aedeagus ( Fig 48 ) with moderately deep, curved basal arch and weakly rounded shoulders. Distal process as long as basal arms, tip bifid with spiculate membrane joining the two apices.

Distribution. New Caledonia and Fiji ( Fig 52 ).

Biology. Unknown

Remarks. This species and C. agas are unique in the Immaculatus Group in their possession of hairy eyes in both sexes. Males of these two species can be separated by the completely feminised antennae of C. agas and females by the absence of SCo on distal flagellomeres in C. collessi .

Etymology. Named in honour of Dr Don Colless in recognition of his contribution to medical and veterinary entomology in Australia and Southeastern Asia.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 8. Eye separation and wing of female Culicoides Immaculatus Group species. 1, 5. C. agas Wirth & Hubert. 2, 6. C. immaculatus Lee & Reye. 3, 7. C. collessi Bellis & Dyce sp. n. 4, 8. C. shivasi Bellis & Dyce sp. n.

FIGURES 9 – 20. Female Culicoides Immaculatus Group species. 9, 10, 17. C. agas Wirth & Hubert, mandibular teeth, palp and spermathecae. 11, 12, 18. C. immaculatus Lee & Reye, palp, mandibular teeth and spermathecae. 13, 14, 19. C. collessi Bellis & Dyce sp. n., mandibular teeth, palp and spermathecae. 15, 16, 20. C. shivasi Bellis & Dyce sp. n., palp, mandibular teeth and spermathecae

FIGURES 21 – 28. Female Culicoides Immaculatus Group species. 21, 22. C. agas Wirth & Hubert, legs and tibial comb. 23, 24. C. immaculatus Lee & Reye, tibial comb and legs. 25, 26. C. collessi Bellis & Dyce sp. n., legs and tibial comb. 27, 28. C. shivasi Bellis & Dyce sp. n., legs and tibial comb.

FIGURES 29 – 39. Antennae of Culicoides Immaculatus Group species. 29, 31, 35, 36. C. agas Wirth & Hubert, female flagellomere 4 and antenna and male flagellomere 4 and antenna. 30, 32, 37. C. immaculatus Lee & Reye, female flagellomere 4 and antenna and male antenna .. 33, 38. C. collessi Bellis & Dyce sp. n., female and male antenna 34, 39. C. shivasi Bellis & Dyce sp. n., female and male antenna.

FIGURES 40 – 51. Male Culicoides Immaculatus Group species. 40 – 42. C. agas Wirth & Hubert, hypopygium, parameres and aedeagus. 43 – 45. C. immaculatus Lee & Reye, hypopygium, parameres and aedeagus. 46 – 48. C. collessi Bellis & Dyce sp. n., hypopygium, parameres and aedeagus. 49 – 51. C. shivasi Bellis & Dyce sp. n., hypopygium, parameres and aedeagus.

FIGURES 52 – 53. Distribution of Culicoides Immaculatus Group species based on published records (Lee & Reye 1953; Wirth & Hubert 1989, Dyce 1996) and specimens represented in ANIC and BPBM. 52. C. immaculatus Lee & Reye and C. collessi Bellis & Dyce sp. n. 53. C. agas Wirth & Hubert and C. shivasi Bellis & Dyce sp. n.