Mosquito Notes.—VIII

Abstract

These species, together with A. brunnipes, Theo., have been referred to the Neocellia group of the subgenus Myzomyia on account of the broad mesonotal scales, and (in the case of the first two species mentioned) of the broadly white-tipped hind tarsi. The three species, however, differ from the other members of the Neocellia group in the possession of a distinct propleural hair, whereas the other African species (A. maculipalpis, Giles, and A. pretoriensis, Theo.) agree with all the Oriental species of the Neocellia group in having no propleural hair. It is therefore probable that the first three species are to be regarded as members of the Myzomyia group in which the ornamentation is unusually well developed. This conclusion, arrived at from an examination of the adults, is confirmed by a study of the larvae ; Christophers informs me that the larvae of A. theileri, which have been examined by himself and Puri, have pleural hairs of the Myzomyia type. It is also suggestive that A. rufipes and A. theileri are both variable in wing-markings and thoracic scaling, and as in the case of A. marshalli, some variations appear to be definitely fixed. Some of these variations are described below as new varieties.