Culicoides nubeculosus (Meigen), 1830


Synonym(s)
  • C. puncticollis  Goetghebuer, 1912
    preoccupied by Culicoides puncticollis (Becker), 1903
  • C. punctaticollis  Goetghebuer, 1920

General information for the taxon Biogeographic region where the taxon is recorded : Palaearctic

Diagnose
Usually large species. The female may be distinguished from others of the subgenera by the dark markings on a pale ground, the dark second radial cell, the single ovoid spermatheca. Highly polymorphic, dark wing with pale spots, pale spot on the crossvein
Third segment of palpus rectangular and bigger than other species of the same subgenus in the Palaearctic region
Spermathicae characterized by kidney-shape

male diagnose :
Joined parameres
Aedageus large and well marked with an expansion apically as large as the base.


Ecology
The species is common, often found breeding in mud contaminated with cattle dung around farms. This is the only species from western Palaearctic region that can be colonized in the laboratory.
Larvae and pupae of C. nubeculosus were mostly found in organic matter-rich breeding sites (Uslu et al 2006).
Culicoides nubeculosus is widely distributed over western Palaearctic region.

Implications as vector species
The species is a known vector of Onchocerca cervicalis in horses and is the cause of allergic reactions to its bites. It can be infected with bluetongue virus in the laboratory.



  family Ceratopogonidae
Important bibliographic reference(s)
Specimen(s) present in collection (1)
AVAbase ID Country of collection Voucher Sequence(s) Status Sample(s) Picture(s) Number
AVA4 France In collection Single individual

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Distribution map for specimen(s) present in collection