Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Culicinae (ID)
Posted by vmcaldart on 22-08-2014 01:32
#1
Dear all,
Is it possible to separate Culex from Aedes based in differences in R2 and R2+3 length? I've read that in Culex the R2 is larger than the size of R2+3 (A and B in figure), and that in Aedes is the opposite (C and D in figure). My specimens are from southern Brazil, and as a herpetologist I'm just trying to have a first identification of genera... within Culicinae, my main interest is to diagnose Culex. Images are not at scale, ignore the values.
Thanks
Edited by vmcaldart on 22-08-2014 02:45
Posted by John Carr on 22-08-2014 14:13
#2
The only mention of the R2+3 fork in keys I checked was to distinguish
Uranotaenia from most other Culicinae.
In North America
Aedes has a pointed abdomen and
Culex a blunt-tipped abdomen, at least if live specimens are viewed laterally.
Posted by vmcaldart on 22-08-2014 14:23
#3
But in Uranotaenia the A1 vein ends before the union of CuA1 and CuA2... thats not the case of the specimens in the picture or other Culicinae.
Posted by John Carr on 22-08-2014 14:30
#4
R2+3 begins where R4+5 forks off. Before that point the vein is simply Rs.
Posted by vmcaldart on 22-08-2014 14:42
#5
I get it know, John. Thanks for your help.