External Morphology of Larvae of Belgica antarctica Jacobs, 1900 (Diptera, Chironomidae) Obtained from Two Locations in Maritime Antarctica

The external morphology of the fourth-instar larva of the Antarctic endemic chironomid midge Belgica antarctica is described. Larvae were collected from Jougla Point (Wiencke Island) and an un-named island close to Enterprise Island, off the coast of the western Antarctic Peninsula. Light microscopy was used to examine and document photographically the structures of the mouthparts (mandible, mentum, premandible, labrum), antennae, pecten epipharyngis, clypeus, frontal apotome and posterior parapods. Measurements of the mouthparts are presented. The data obtained are compared with that available in the literature. A number of differences were identified relating to the size of the larvae, the number of teeth on the mandibles, the number of antennal segments and the length of the antennal blade. Malformations of the mandible and mentum are reported for the first time in this species. Features of larvae of taxonomic value that can be used to determine the species in larval stages are presented. These are of utility in using the larvae to reveal relationships with other species. Larvae are also important in ecological and genotoxicological studies, which require accurate species level identification.

Redescription of the female, male, larva and pupa of Sabethes (Sabethoides) glaucodaemon (Dyar & Shannon) (Diptera: Culicidae) and description of the female genitalia

Sabethes (Sabethoides) glaucodaemon was described for the first time by Dyar & Shannon (1925) based on the adult female. Later, descriptions of the male genitalia and parts of the fourth-instar larva and pupa were published by other authors. No one has described the female genitalia or made a complete description of the larva and pupa. The aim of this study was to redescribe Sa. glaucodaemon in the adult stage, including the male and female genitalia, and the pupa and fourth-instar larva. All stages are illustrated. Distinctions from Sa. (Sbo.) tridentatus are discussed.

Description of the pupa and additional characters of the fourth-instar larva, female, and male genitalia of Uranotaenia (Uranotaenia) coatzacoalcos Dyar & Knab, with keys for the identification of Mexican species of Uranotaenia (Diptera: Culicidae)

Eleven species of Uranotaenia, one belonging to the subgenus Pseudoficalbia and ten to the subgenus Uranotaenia, have been recorded in Mexico. In general, two species are commonly recorded in urban areas by the vector surveillance programs, but the other species are rarely collected as they occupy habitats in non-anthropized environments, and for that reason they remain poorly known. Some of the species recorded in Mexico have not been described in the pupal stage and other developmental stages have only been partially described, making their recognition difficult. One of these species is Uranotaenia (Uranotaenia) coatzacoalcos Dyar & Knab, as a complete description of its larval chaetotaxy is not available, and the pupa has not been described. In this report, we provide a complete morphological description of the fourth-instar larva, the first description of the pupa, and a review of the female and male diagnostic characteristics useful for recognition of the species. We also provide keys in English and Spanish for the recognition of the larvae, pupae, females, and male genitalia of the species of Uranotaenia recorded in Mexico.

First description of the immature stages of Dasyhelea alula and a redescription of adults from China (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae)

The fourth instar larva and pupa of Dasyheleaalula Yu, 2005 are described and illustrated using a Scanning Electron Microscope. The adult male and female of this species are redescribed. Immatures were collected from flooded soil near a pond in Xiaojiawan village, Guizhou province, China and reared in the laboratory. The studied material is deposited in the Insect Collection of Zunyi Medical University.

The immature stages of the biting midge Culicoides debilipalpis Lutz (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

The fourth instar larva and pupa of Culicoides debilipalpis Lutz, 1913 are described, illustrated, and photomicrographed from material collected in tree-holes of Salix sp. in Entre Rios Province, Argentina by using binocular, phase-contrast, and scanning electron microscopy. Measurements of instars I–IV are also presented. The larva shows features typical to carnivorous-predatory larvae, as well as characters typical of larvae occurring in tree holes and clean water. Details on larval biology, habitat, and feeding behavior are given.

The immatures of Bezzia chilensis Spinelli & Ronderos, 2001 (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae)

The fourth instar larva and the pupa ofBezziachilensisSpinelli & Ronderos, 2001 are described for the first time. The immature stages were collected from macrophytes and filamentous algae in streams of the Patagonian steppe, in the provinces of Neuquén and Chubut, Argentina. The described stages were photographed and illustrated with a phase-contrast microscope and scanning electron microscope. Data on the bionomics of the species, new records and tables for characters of the known larvae and pupae ofBezziaKieffer, 1899 from the Neotropical region are provided.

Two new species of the subgenus Sabethinus of Sabethes (Diptera: Culicidae) from Costa Rica, first confirmation of members of the subgenus in Central America

Two new species of Sabethes subgenus Sabethinus (Diptera: Culicidae) from Costa Rica are formally named Sa. andreae and Sa. theresae. Descriptions consisting of differential and diagnostic morphological characters are provided for adults, male genitalia and fourth-instar larvae. The male genitalia and the fourth-instar larva and pupa of both species are illustrated. The species are compared with the four previously described species known to occur only in South America, i.e. Sa. idiogenes, Sa. intermedius, Sa. melanonymphe and Sa. xhyphydes. A new country record for Colombia is reported for Sa. xhyphydes and keys are provided to distinguish the adults and larvae of the six species.

Three species of Hydrobaenus Fries (Diptera: Chironomidae: Orthocladiinae) from Belarus

Illustrated descriptions of adult male, pupa and fourth instar larva of Hydrobaenus molleri sp. nov., adult male of H. hvoenskiensis sp. nov. and redescription of adult male H. pilipes (Malloch) with taxonomic notes are provided on the basis of materials collected from Belarus.