Taxonomic and ecological notes on Culex (Melanoconion) Spissipes (Theobald).

Abstract

Eggs, larvae and pupae of C1lle.u (Melanoconion) spissipes (Theobaldj wrere collected from the margins of Nariva Swamp '(Bush Bush Forest), Trinidad, W. I. The reared adults were studied for variation in mesonotal scale pattern. Culex (M.) merytes Dyar is newly synonymized with Culex @is- sijws in this paper as a result of the variation observed, and the synonymy of C. (iv.) fur Dyar & Knab was also confirmed, Natural larval habitats and oviposition sites of this species are discussed. distributed in Trinidad. It is a common inhabitant of the shaded swamp forest surrounding Bush Bush Island in the Nariva Swamp. Typical females display the anterior l/2 to 2/3 of the mesonotum completely adorned with straw- colored scales and with the posterior portion largely dark brown-scaled. This mesonotal pattern has been 1 of the most important characters for identify- ing the species. Examination of many adults col- lected from mouse-baited mosquito traps (Worth & Jonkers 1962) operated in Bush Bush Forest as well as adults reared from individual egg rafts or from immature stages collected at the swamp margin demonstrated the mesonotal pattern to be highly variable. This variation has created taxonomic confusion and at least 3 Latin names have been used for the species. This report attempts to clarify the synonymy and contributes a few ecological notes on the larvae as they occur in nature. The char- acter of the immature stages of this species will not be discussed in this paper, but it will be given later by another author. VARIATION IN ADULTS