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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Mosquito and Fly Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #67447
Title: SOME UNUSUAL FEATURES OF PUPAL EXUVIAE NOTED IN ANOPHELES QUADRIMACULATUS COMPLEX OF SPECIES (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE)

Author
item REINERT, JOHN - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
item Kaiser, Paul
item Seawright, Jack

Submitted to: Journal of the Mosquito Control Association
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/6/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: In previous studies we used modern genetic methods to identify five closely-related species of the Anopheles quadrimaculatus complex. These mosquitoes are important pests that are capable of transmitting several human and animal diseases throughout the eastern half of the United States. After the genetic tests were completed, a study was initiated to discover and describe any differences in the mosquitoes' physical appearance that would enable a visual identification of these species. Adult mosquitoes emerge from the immature pupa through a slit made along the midline of the back, and the skin of the pupa is left floating on the water. For three of the species of the Anopheles quadrimaculatus complex, we noticed unique features in the castoff skins. In comparisons with twelve other species of mosquitoes, two of the species made a much smaller opening during the emergence of the adults, and in the third species the pupal skin folded in a peculiar manner on the surface of the water.

Technical Abstract: Unusual features of the cephalothorax, observed in unmounted pupal exuviae, are reported for three of the five species of the Quadrimaculatus Complex of Anopheles.