Psorophora (Psorophora) lineata (Humboldt, 1819) and Psorophora (Pso.) saeva Dyar & Knab, 1906 (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

Two species of the genus Psorophora Robineau-Desvoidy that occur in Venezuela, Psorophora (Psorophora) lineata (Humboldt 1819) and P.(Pso.) saeva Dyar & Knab 1906, have been confused in its diagnostic characters and its geographical distributions. Based on museum material the adults of P. lineata present a patch of white scales in the lower mesepimeron, while in P. saeva this character is absent. On the abdomen, P. lineata also presents a patch of white scales in posterior half of each sternite, while in P. saeva the patch covers whole lenght of first two sternites. In the male genitalia of P. lineata, the gonostyle has no setae, while in P. saeva the setae are conspicuous. The claspette of P. lineata presents filiform filaments, while in P. saeva is foliated. Finally, the gonocoxite in P. lineata presents long grouped and erected setae on medial internal face, while P. saeva has no setae. The diagnostic characters are shown and the keys on important taxonomic literature are corrected.