Latitudinal gradient of biting midges in the genus <i>Culicoides</i> (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Argentina and Bolivia

Abstract

We provide the first records of 8 species of biting midges in the genus <i>Culicoides</i> (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in a wide latitudinal gradient of the Yungas Ecoregion in Argentina and the Chaco Ecoregion in Bolivia, including a map of their distribution, and an updated checklist of species in the study area. Additional locality records were obtained from published articles and from specimens collected in these and other ecoregions in both countries. Included are the first Argentinean records of <i>Culicoides crescentis</i> Wirth & Blanton and <i>C. pampaensis</i> Spinelli & Wirth from Salta Province; <i>C. caridei</i> Brèthes, <i>C. crescentis</i>, <i>C. guttatus</i> Coquillett, <i>C. insignis</i> Lutz, <i>C. pampaensis</i>, and <i>C. venezuelensis</i> Ortiz & Mirsa from Jujuy Province, and <i>C. saltaensis</i> Spinelli & Wirth and <i>C. pampaensis</i> from Tucumán Province. In addition, the first records of <i>C. brasilianum</i> Forattini, <i>C. crescentis</i>, and <i>C. guttatus</i> are provided from Bolivia.