Culex (Barraudius) pusillus, a new occurrence record outside the Palaearctic Region

1998; Volume: 1; Linguagem: Inglês

ISSN

2053-4302

Autores

Ralph E. Harbach,

Tópico(s)

Entomological Studies and Ecology

Resumo

While recently identifying samples of Culex larvae submitted to The Natural History Museum, London, by the Municipality Health Department of Dubai, I found larvae of Cx. pusillus in four separate collections (4/31). Three of these collections contained only this species while the fourth also contained larvae of Cx. (Culex) sitlens Wiedemann and Cx. (Cux.) tritaeniorhynchus Giles. As far as I am aware, this is the first record of Cx. pusillus outside of the Palaearctic Region. This is not unexpected, however, since Edwards (1941) thought he species 'may occur in the south-eastern part of the AngloEgyptian Sudan or in Somaliland'. Although the larvae are likely those of Cx. pusillus, the identification requires verification based on adult males with associated larval exuviae. Collection data are filed at the Dubai Municipality Health Department and voucher specimens are deposited in The Natural History Museum.

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