Diversity of Ceratopogonidae (Diptera: Culicomorpha) from the Reserva Natural Integral Punta Lara (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Abstract

We present the results of the first survey on the Ceratopogonidae from the “Reserva Natural Integral Punta Lara”, in Buenos Aires province. This protected area represents the southernmost relict of gallery forest where the knowledge of the insect fauna is still limited. Catches were conducted in areas of grassland and marginal forest with Malaise traps, CDC light traps and funnel light traps. A total of 4,195 specimens belonging to nine genera and 39 species of Ceratopogonidae were identified. A list of the species present in the protected area is provided, along with their distributional data. Twenty-three species are recorded from the reserve for the first time, while Dasyhelea mediomunda Minaya, Forcipomyia (Forcipomyia) taragui Marino, Spinelli & Cazorla, Forcipomyia (Microhelea) fuliginosa (Meigen), Stilobezzia (Eukraiohelea) elegantula (Johannsen) and Stilobezzia (Stilobezzia) punctulata Lane are recorded for the first time in Buenos Aires province.