Biting midges of Egypt (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

BACKGROUND

This study is one in a series of planned studies on different Egyptian dipteran taxa aiming to catalogue the whole order in Egypt.

NEW INFORMATION

All known Egyptian taxa of the family Ceratopogonidae (biting midges) are systematically catalogued. A total number of 64 species belonging to 11 genera, four tribes and four subfamilies has been treated. Data for this study have been compiled from both available literature and specimens collected from different Egyptian localities by the authors. An updated classification, synonymies, type localities, world distributions by biogeographic realm(s) and country, Egyptian localities and dates of collection are provided comprising some new locality records. The study treats all previous inaccuracies in the classification of the family in Egypt.

Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) taxonomy: current challenges and future directions

Culicoides Latreille biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) cause a significant biting nuisance to humans, livestock and equines, and are the biological vectors of a range of internationally important pathogens of both veterinary and medical importance. Despite their economic significance, the delimitation and identification of species and evolutionary relationships between species within this genus remains at best problematic. To date no phylogenetic study has attempted to validate the subgeneric classification of the genus and the monophyly of many of the subgenera remains doubtful. Many informal species groupings are also known to exist but few are adequately described, further complicating accurate identification. Recent contributions to Culicoides taxonomy at the species level have revealed a high correlation between morphological and molecular analyses although molecular analyses are revealing the existence of cryptic species. This review considers the methods for studying the systematics of Culicoides using both morphological and genetic techniques, with a view to understanding the factors limiting our current understanding of Culicoides biology and hence arbovirus epidemiology. In addition, we examine the global status of Culicoides identification, highlighting areas that are poorly addressed, including the potential implementation of emerging technologies.