Specific Characters in Tarsal Claws of Some Species of Aedes (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

Certain species of Aedes occurring in North America have been considered difficult if not impossible to identify from adult females alone. Five band-legged species, Aedes excrucians (Walker), A. stimulans (Walker), A. fitchii (F. & Y.), A. riparius D. & K., and A. increpitus Dyar, are in this class. They form a compact group, and female specimens have been very difficult to identify with assurance. Matheson (1944) used mesonotal colour and mesepimeral bristling for separating most specimens of these species. To these characters Gjullin (1946) added the colour of the torus and of the palp, but he also was unable to definitely identify some specimens of excrucians and fitchii. Ross (1947) used the characters employed by Matheson to separate stimlans, fitchii, and excrucians, but admitted that the characters are often unsatisfactory.