Variation in tarsal claw morphology and the identification of Aedes (Stegomyia) demeilloni/segermanae and Aedes (Stegomyia) simpsoni/bromeliae (Diptera: Culicidae) in South Africa
Jupp, P.G.; Kemp, A.
Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association 15(1): 86-88
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 8756-971X PMID: 10342277 Document Number: 504324
Individuals in families of Aedes (Stegomyia) mosquitoes reared from females collected at Kloof, KwaZulu-Natal, were identified as A. demeilloni or A. segermanae or were indeterminate because tarsal claw morphology, the distinguishing character, varied. Similarly, A. simpsoni and A. bromeliae reared from ovitraps exposed at Ndumu, northern KwaZulu-Natal, showed variation in tarsal claw morphology. Variation existed between tarsal claws on individual specimens, which made identification difficult at Ndumu, indicating that tarsal claws may not be taxonomically significant.