Ceratopogonidae

SPINELLI GR

Biodiversidad de insectos argentinos. Una aproximación biotaxonómica

Ediciones Sur

Lugar: La Plata; Año: 1998; p. 314 - 326

The biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) may be found in large numbers in nearly any aquatic or semiaquatic habitat in all regions of the World. Adult habitats are diverse, but females of most species are adapted to some type of blood sucking. Particularly important are the species of Culicoides, Forcipomyia (lasiohelea) and Leptoconops, which suck vertebrate blood and are vectors of serious viral diseases, like Oropouche in humans and bluetongue in rumiants. A historical review of the Ceratopogonidae is given; adult and immature stages anatomy, and general classification and distributional patterns of the family are discussed. The World ceratopogonid fauna comprises ca. 5,155 extant and about 205 extinct species in 103 extant and 22 extinct genera. The Neotropical fauna comprises about 900 species and 49 genera, of which 181 species and 34 genera inhabit Argentina. Lists of the genera and species present in Argentina are given, pointing out the stage of development that is currently known.