title: Species diversity and seasonal abundance of Culicoides biting midges in northwestern Argentina.
abstract: The species diversity and seasonal abundance of biting midges of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) were studied in northwestern Argentina during the period 2003-2005. A total of 5437 Culicoides specimens were collected using CDC light traps in three areas of the mountainous rainforest area. The most common species were Culicoides paraensis (Goeldi) and C. insignis Lutz, Culicoides lahillei (Iches), C. venezuelensis Ortiz & Mirsa, C. debilipalpis Lutz and C. crescentis Wirth & Blanton were also collected. Culicoides paraensis was abundant during the summer, and C. insignis and C. lahillei during late summer and early fall. Accumulated rainfall was the climatic variable most related to fluctuation in abundance of C. paraensis.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Superior de Entomología Dr. Abraham Willink, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina. ceciliaveggianiaybar@yahoo.com.ar
authors.forename: C A Veggiani
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Aybar
authors.forename: M J Dantur
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Juri
authors.forename: M S Lizarralde
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: De Grosso
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Spinelli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001118:Argentina; D002519:Ceratopogonidae / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D012621:Seasons