TAXONOMY OF SOME SPECIES OF DASYHELEA KIEFFER (DIPTERA: CERATOPOGONIDAE) FOUND IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

The taxonomic descriptions and drawings of four species of biting midges belonging to the genus Dasyhelea Kieffer (Diptera : Ceratopogonidae) found in Singapore are presented. Various habitats in Singapore, which might have been breeding places for the midges were sampled between May 1993 and September 1993. The habitats included water and organic debris from treeholes, phytotelms and temporal bodies of water, algae-covered soil partially submerged underwater in concrete drainS, moist moss-beds, tide-pools located at the intertidal regions, and mangrove algae and mud. All the immature stages were reared on their native food substrates in the Vector Control Laboratory at the National University of Singapore, and the adults, which subsequently emerged, were collected. All stages of the each species were dehydrated and mounted on slides, with an additional initial clearing process for the adult specimens. Comparisons were made with closely related species from published works. Results reveal that all four species collected are new to science. A table of sampling records and subsequent findings are provided. Keys to distinguish the larval, pupal and adult male and female stages of the four species are constructed.