First description of immature stages and adult females of Stilobezzia (Acanthohelea) megatheca (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from Patagonia

Abstract

The larva, pupa and adult female of Stilobezzia (Acanthohelea) megatheca Cazorla and Spinelli are described in this report. The immature stages were collected from the bank of a stream near Puerto Patriada, in the province of Chubut, Argentina. All described stages were photographed and illustrated with a phase-contrast microscope and scanning electron microscope. This is the first description of immature stages on the subgenus Stilobezzia (Acanthohelea) Kieffer from the Neotropical region. Data on the bionomics of the species and a key to Neotropical pupae of the genus Stilobezzia Kieffer are provided.