The male of Culicoides reevesi Wirth, with a redescription of the female and new seasonal activity, distribution, and biting records (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

Abstract

The previously unknown male of the biting midge, Culicoides reevesi Wirth, is described and illustrated; the female is also redescribed and this species is reassigned to the leoni group. Previously known from California, Arizona, and New Mexico, C. reevesi is recorded for the 1st time from Utah (new record). Females of this aggressive, hematophagous species were collected while biting humans during evening crepuscular periods in California. Females exhibited a strong attraction to CO2 traps, and seasonal surveillance demonstrated that host-seeking occurred from late May until mid-October in both California and Utah. Small numbers of males were also collected in CO2 traps; however, both sexes showed little attraction to ultraviolet and incandescent light traps.