A species of ceratopogonidae, Genus Bezzia from Manipur

Abstract

No-see-ums are biting midges of small size and difficult to spot belongs to the family Ceratogononodae. Their main feed comprised of blood of humans and animals. But the species of four genera attacked mammals. Both medically and veterinary these insects are very important of many diseases like Oropouche fever, manonellosis or Leishmaniasis. The records of over 4000 species from 78 genera of this family are cosmopolitan. There are over 4, 000 species in 78 genera worldwide for this family. The literature survey from Manipur on this family is not found. A survey of the insect was performed during 2019-2020 from different parts of the aquatic habitats like lake, pond and river. The larvae of the insect were captured and reared to obtain the full life cycle. The distinguishing morphological features of the larvae in the present study were presence of collar, epipharynx and anal bristles and they move quickly between the wet plant parts in their habitats with serpent like quick movement. The pupae were having prominent terminal processes in both the sexes. Adults were small with distinct black patches on the wings. The tentative identification of the species is Bezzia galesa. Their identities, diversity and control measures will be useful in preventing the diseases from such common insect for general population as well as the academic point.