Observations on Habitats of Culicoides Larvae in Trinidad, W. I. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

Abstract

In a 3-month study begun in mid-July 1963, larval habitats were ascertained for 24 species of Culicoides , including 9 species for which at least 1 habitat was known from some other part of the world. New habitats were discovered for 6 of these 9 species, and multiple habitats were found for 15 of the total 24, with C. pusillus Lutz occurring in the greatest number (13) of habitats. New habitats not previously reported as breeding sites for Culicoides were: decaying cocoa pods (Theobroma cacao) , found to breed 10 species, most of which attack man; discarded animal betiding of macerated coconut fibers wet with rain; moutns of rivers which enter the sea across open, sandy beaches, where salt and fresh water mix to flood large, sandy areas at each high tide; the decaying flowers of Cachibou (Calathea lutea) ; and the rotting flower of Scotch Attorney (Clusia rosea) . Three habitats were found for species of Lasiohelea , another anthropophilic genus of Ceratopogonidae.