Nomenclature of the eye gnats (Hippelates Spp.).

Abstract

The eye gnats, or Hippelates flies (Diptera, Chloropidae), have been attracting increasing attention in recent years in connection with investigations of the epidemiology of yaws and of various eye diseases. Unfortunately, virtually all medical, parasitological and entomological works are continuing to cite several important species under incorrect names. The nomenclature of these species was revised by Sabrosky (1941), but current editions of various texts have overlooked that paper or, in a few cases, were published earlier. The purpose of this note is to call attention to the information in that publication, which also contains a key for the identification of species of the United States. On the basis of the work of Kumm and others in Jamaica, Hippelates pallipes Loew is regularly cited as being, or suspected of being, the vector of yaws in Jamaica, the West Indies, or the Neotropical Region in general (Seguy, 1940; Belding, 1942; Matheson, 1944, 1950.