Subgenus Exallomyia Harbach & Peyton, 1992

Type species: 

Wyeomyia tarsata Lane & Cerqueira, 1942.

Classification: 

Subfamily Culicinae, genus Wyeomyia. Subgenus Exallomyia includes three species. Subgenus abbreviation – Exm.

Characteristics: 

ADULTS ‒ Not much differentiated from the adults of other subgenera of Wyeomyia, which are diagnosed principally on morphological features of the male genitalia and larvae; paratergal scales and mesopostnotal setae present; lower mesokatepisternal setae not extending above dorsal margin of mesomeron; upper calypter of wing with 1 or 2 marginal setae. MALE GENITALIA ‒ Tergum IX without lobes, with closely approximated rows of setae; gonocoxite with a prominent tergomesal group of setae, gonostylus with flap-like lobe C; aedeagus narrow, distinctly longer than wide; apical tergal arms not joined; proctiger normal, cercal setae present. LARVAE ‒ Seta 6-C inserted anterior to seta 7-C; seta 1-A multi-branched, inserted at or before mid-length of antenna; maxilla broad, without apical tooth, seta 4-Mx strongly developed, longer than maxillary brush, split at apex, hypostomal sclerite absent, maxillary palpus small, seta 6-Mx inserted on basal margin of maxillary body; seta 14-C very strongly developed, significantly longer than seta 15-C, inserted anterior to 15-C on level with seta 12-C; seta 1-P multi-branched, much shorter and inserted well mesad and distinctly caudad of setae 2,3-P; seta 4-P long, double; seta 11-P,M,T well developed, with multiple branches; seta 7-M not strongly developed, single; seta 4-T developed like seta 1-T; seta 8-T inserted laterally between sclerites bearing seta 7-T and setae 9‒12-T; seta 13-T very strongly developed, longer than length of thorax; seta 1-I,II well developed, multi-branched, developed like seta 2-III‒VII, seta 1-III‒VI very long, single, borne on basal plate; seta 2-I‒VII well developed, with multiple branches, seta 2-III‒VII inserted mesad and on same level or slightly posterior to seta 1; seta 9-I‒VI well developed, with multiple branches; setae 7,13-II inserted more or less on same level, 13-III‒VI inserted distinctly posterior to seta 7; comb plate absent, ventral comb scales small, fringed with spicules, becoming larger and progressively spine-like dorsally; siphon without pecten, seta 1-S inserted near base of siphon, setae la,2a-S each in more or less straight row; seta 4-X developed like setae 1‒3-X, very long, single or double. PUPAE ‒ Cephalothorax and abdomen without spots; trumpet slightly flattened, not laterally expanded, pinna shorter than greatest width of meatus; seta 1-I strongly developed, with numerous dendritic branches; seta 2-II‒VII inserted near posterior margin of terga, 2-II,VII inserted lateral to seta 1, 2-III‒VI inserted mesal to seta 1; seta 3-III inserted mesad of seta 1, 3-VII more or less in line with seta 1; seta 6-II variable, slightly shorter to longer than segment III, seta 6-VII inserted on tergum caudomesad of seta 9-VII; paddle long, length about 1.5x width, apex fringed with minute spicules. See genus Wyeomyia.

Phylogenetic relationships: 

The phylogenetic analyses of Motta et al. (2007) based on morphological data indicated a closer relationship of Exallomyia with Dodecamyia than to other subgenera of Wyeomyia. However, as suggested by Harbach & Peyton (1992), the phylogenetic relationships of Exallomyia cannot be known for certain until most species of Wyeomyia are thoroughly characterised in the immature stages and are known to represent natural groups of species.

Bionomics and disease relations: 

Very little is known about the bionomics of the three known species of Exallomyia. Larvae have been found in tree holes (Wy. carrilloi, Wy. tarsata) and bamboo internodes (Wy. arborea, Wy. carrilloi). Unconfirmed reports indicate that females of Wy. tarsata will bite humans during the daytime. Females of Wy. arborea have been collected biting humans in forest canopy.

Distribution: 

Species of subgenus Exallomyia are known to occur in countries at latitudes roughly between 15° N and 15° S. Wyeomyia arborea is recorded from Panama and Nicaragua, Wy. carrilloi from Peru and Venezuela, and Wy. tarsata from Bolivia, Brazil and Colombia.

Principal references: 

Harbach & Peyton, 1992 (new subgenus, subgenus and species descriptions, bionomics, distributions); Motta & Lourenço-de-Oliveira, 2005 (comparative morphology); Motta et al., 2007 (morphology, phylogenetic relationships).

Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith