First record of Leptoconops brasiliensis (Lutz, 1913) (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) for the Northeast region of Brazil

Jhonata A. Santiago; Luis P. de Carvalho; Felipe A. C. Pessoa; Emanuelle de S. Farias

doi:10.37486/2675-1305.ec08025

Authors

Jhonata A. Santiago Instituto de Pesquisa Leônidas e Maria Deane - Fiocruz Amazonia, Manaus, AM, Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1159-1237
Luis P. de Carvalho Fiocruz Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0841-9941
Felipe A. C. Pessoa Instituto de Pesquisa Leônidas e Maria Deane - Fiocruz Amazonia, Manaus, AM, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6318-1887
Emanuelle de S. Farias Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, AM, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5949-877X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37486/2675-1305.ec08025

Keywords:

Ceratopogonidae, Leptoconops, diversity, geographic distribution, Neotropical fauna

Abstract

The genus Leptoconops Skuse, 1889 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), is a small haemotophagic biting midge that comprises 173 described species with a broad global distribution. Despite its evolutionary, biological, and vector importance, the genus remains poorly studied, particularly in the Neotropical region, where only 13 species are known across five subgenera: Leptoconops (Brachyconops) Wirth & Atchley, 1973, Leptoconops (Holoconops) Keiffer, 1918, Leptoconops (Leptoconops) Skuse, 1889, Leptoconops (Megaconops) Wirth, 1973 and Leptoconops (Proleptoconops) Clastrier, 1974. In Brazil, Leptoconops (Holoconops) knowltoni Clastrier & Wirth, 1978, and Leptoconops (Megaconops) floridensis Wirth, 1951 are known from Santa Catarina, while Leptoconops (Leptoconops) brasiliensis (Lutz, 1913) has been reported from Pará (type locality), Acre, Amazonas, and Goiás. Here, we update the expanding geographic distribution of the genus in Brazil, reporting the first occurrence of L. (L.) brasiliensis in the state of Maranhão, expanding its known range and underscoring the need for further taxonomic and faunistic research.

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References

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