Culicoides (A.) imicola Kieffer, 1913

Pielowska-Ceranowska, Agata & Szwedo, Jacek, 2020, Wing Interference Patterns in patterned wings of Culicoides Latreille, 1809 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) - exploring potential identification tool, Zootaxa 4868 (3), pp. 389-407 : 391-393

Culicoides (A.) imicola Kieffer, 1913

( Figs. 2a, b , 3a, b )

Chemical pigmentation ( Figs. 2a , 3a ). Irregular light, unpigmented spots on a dark background. Pigment patterns with rather clearly defined boundaries. Over ⅓ of the second radial cell (r2) surface, including the end of costal vein (C) with visible light (i.e. unpigmented) area. Two moderately large pigment spots in the third radial cell (r3), where both of them reach cover the wing edge. Clear, bright area in the proximal part of the first medial cell (m1). Light, long subtriangular spot passing through the entire surface of the second medial cell (m2), and reaching the edge of the wing. Over ⅔ surface of the cubital cell (cua1) occupied by light spot, including edge of the wing between first and second cubital veins (CuA1, CuA2). Two quite large, light irregular patches, merged in the distal part of the anal cell (an). In the medial part of wing visible spot including distal part of subcostal (sc) and basal (b) cells, and covering the radial-medial crossvein (R-M). Visible slender, bright area occupying a significant portion of the first medial vein (M1).

Interference patterns ( Figs. 2b , 3b ). Dominant colours: orange, blue, purple. Structural patterns in the place of dark pigment spots from blue to navy blue. Bright wing parts not defined by a particular interference colour, but with a large predominance of pale orange. Three patches in length of the sc and r3 cells definitely brighter than the others. Dark streak in proximal part of the anal cell along the wing margin. This dark streak is separated from the wing margin as shown by the presence of a pale area between this dark streak and the wing margin. Venation clearly marked, veins surrounded by orange and brown bands.

Female and male: WIP coloration presents venation pattern more clearly, non pigmented areas in basal section do not correspond to uniform coloration in WIP.

Figures

FIGURE 2. Culicoides imicola (female—1), a—photograph of wing on white background, b—WIP visualization.

FIGURE 3. Culicoides imicola (male—2), a—photograph of wing on white background, b—WIP visualization.