Latitudinal Gradient of Biting Midges in the Genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Argentina and Bolivia

Abstract

We provide the first records of 8 species of biting midges in the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in a wide latitudinal gradient of the Yungas Ecoregion in Argentina and the Chaco Ecoregion in Bolivia, including a map of their distribution, and an updated checklist of species in the study area. Ad­ditional locality records were obtained from published articles and from specimens collected in these and other ecoregions in both countries. Included are the first Argentinean records of Culicoides crescentis Wirth & Blanton and C. pampaensis Spinelli & Wirth from Salta Province; C. caridei Brèthes, C. crescen­tis, C. guttatus Coquillett, C. insignis Lutz, C. pampaensis, and C. venezuelensis Ortiz & Mirsa from Jujuy Province, and C. saltaensis Spinelli & Wirth and C. pampaensis from Tucumán Province. In addition, the first records of C. brasilianum Forattini, C. crescentis, and C. guttatus are provided from Bolivia.

Se presenta los primeros registros de 8 especies del género Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) en un amplio gradiente latitudinal tanto de la ecoregión de las Yungas en Argentina como de la ecoregión del Chaco en Bolivia, incluyendo un mapa y una lista actua­lizada de las especies en el área de estudio. Culicoides crescentis Wirth & Blanton y C. pampaensis Spinelli & Wirth se registran por primera vez en la provincia de Salta; C. caridei Brèthes, C. crescentis, C. guttatus Coquillett, C. insignis Lutz, C. pampaensis y C. vene­zuelensis Ortiz & Mirsa son reportados para la provincia de Jujuy; y C. saltaensis Spinelli & Wirth y C. pampaensis para la provincia de Tucumán. Por último, C. brasilianum Forattini, C. crescentis y C. guttatus se registran por primera vez para Bolivia.