CONTRIBUTION TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF BITING MIDGES(DIPTERA CERATOPOGONIDAE) OF SARDINIA, ITALY

Abstract

The ceratopogonid fauna of northern Sardinia (Italy) was investigated using black light traps. The study wascarried out in six localities from June to August 2015. A total of 3,879 ceratopogonids were collected and 40 speciesbelonging to 8 genera were identified. The most abundant genus was Culicoides(96%) followed by Forcipomyia(1.5%), Bezzia(1.2%) and Dasyhelea, Atrichopogon, Alluaudomyia, Stilobezziaand Brachypogon(each <1%). Sevennew species for Italian fauna were recorded: Forcipomyiabipunctata, Forcipomyiapsilonota, Culicoides achrayi,Culicoidescameroni, Culicoidescorsicusand Bezzia pygmaea. Stilobezziasahariensiswas reported for the first time inEurope.