Wyeomyia

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Wyeomyia
Wyeomyia smithii.png
W. smithii
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Culicidae
Subfamily: Culicinae
Tribe: Sabethini
Genus: Wyeomyia
F. V. Theobald, 1901
Type species
Wyeomyia grayii

Wyeomyia is a genus of mosquitoes first described in 1901 by Frederick Vincent Theobald. [2] The genus's 140 species can be difficult to characterize because of their diversity and the need for additional taxonomic work to further delineate them. [2] Adults resemble genus Limatus and Sabethes mosquitoes more closely than other genera in the New World tribe Sabethini, [2] but differ by their scutal scales ranging in color from a relatively dull bronzy with a slight metallic sheen in most species, to a metallic gold. [2] There are other distinguishing characters as well. [2] [1] [3]

Contents

Distribution

Wyeomyia mosquitoes are predominantly neotropical, ranging across the Caribbean into Florida, with one species occurring in eastern North America. [1] [2] [3]

Ecology

Most Wyeomyia mosquitoes are forest-inhabiting, preferring damp environments. [1] Larvae develop in small collections of water in bromeliads and aroids, flower bracts, broken bamboo and bamboo stumps, tree holes, pitcher plants, and sometimes man-made containers. [1] They feed on organic matter in the water, including decomposing carcasses of insects and spiders. [3] Some species obtain oxygen directly from the water, rarely, if ever, surfacing. [3]

Adults are active during the day, usually near larval habitats. [1] Some species are found at characteristic elevations in the forest canopy, with others appearing to be restricted to ground level. [1]

Most Wyeomyia species will take blood meals, and females readily feed on humans who enter their habitat. [1] Although Ilhéus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis and Maguari viruses have been isolated from Wyeomyia mosquitoes, they are not known to transmit a disease agent to humans. [1]

Species

The following species and subgenera are recognised: [1]

Subgenus (Wyeomyia)

Subgenus (Antunesmyia)

Subgenus (Caenomyiella)

Subgenus (Cruzmyia)

Here is the list with the Wikipedia syntax added:

Subgenus (Decamyia)

Here is the list with the Wikipedia syntax added:

Subgenus (Dendromyia)

Subgenus (Dodecamyia)

Subgenus (Exallomyia)

Subgenus (Hystatomyia)

Subgenus (Menolepis)

Subgenus (Miamyia)

Subgenus (Nunezia)

Subgenus (Phoniomyia)

Subgenus (Prosopolepis)

Subgenus (Spilonympha)

Subgenus (Triamyia)

Subgenus (Zinzala)

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit: "Culicidae » Culicinae » Sabethini » Wyeomyia" in Systematic Catalog of Culicidae, http://www.wrbu.org/mqID/mq_gnra/wyeomyia.htm, accessed August 5, 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Mosquito Taxonomic Inventory: Wyeomyia Theobald, 1901, http://mosquito-taxonomic-inventory.info/simpletaxonomy/term/6251, accessed August 5, 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Robin McLeod with additional contributions by V. Belov: Genus Wyeomyia, Bugguide, http://bugguide.net/node/view/38485, last updated 11 October 2011, last accessed August 5, 2017.
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