Table 1 Identification keys showing main morphological features to distinguish among female Culex collected in three rural wards (Minepa, Mavimba, and Lupiro) in Ulanga District, south-eastern Tanzania. Adapted from the morphological keys by Edwards [46]
Taxon | Main morphological features for identification of Culex spp. |
|---|---|
Culex pipiens complex | Generally smaller size compared to other Culex species Abdominal tergite with pale basal bands, sternite pale and not banded Proboscis without a well-defined ring in the middle but pale beneath Legs and tarsi mostly or entirely dark but hind tibia with a small pale spot at tip Presence of one lower mesepimeral bristle Halters yellowish |
Culex (Lutzia) tigripes | One of the largest Culex species About 10 small prominent pale spots on a dark ground marking on femora and tibiae Abdominal bands, 6 and 7 broad, sometimes occupying almost half of the tergites; all sternites pale-scaled, un-banded Mainly dark proboscis Dark-scaled wings 3–10 bristles on lower half of the mesepimeron in a more or less regular row |
Culex (Culex) poicilipes | Sharply-defined median pale yellowish ring on proboscis Presence of 7–10 distinct small pale spots on anterior surfaces of front femora and tibiae Tarsi with pale rings at joints, which are scarcely longer than wide; on joint 4–5 of hind tarsi, pale ring scarcely noticeable No post-spiracular or pre-alar scales Wings with all dark scales |
Culex (Culex) duttoni | Distinctly pale rings on the tarsi and indefinitely ringed proboscis but with whitish scales on the palp almost half Middle tibia with narrow pale anterior stripe Presence of 2–4 lower mesepimeral bristles Presence of few post-spiracular scales Dark thorax with no pale scales Head with pale scales |