Subgenus Lutzia Theobald, 1903
Lutzia bigoti (Bellardi, 1862), original combination: Culex bigoti.
Subfamily Culicinae, genus Lutzia. Subgenus Lutzia includes two species. Subgenus abbreviation – Lut.
The following characters distinguish species of subgenus Lutzia from those of subgenera Insulalutzia and Metalutzia. ADULTS – Compound eyes completely separated above antennal pedicels; maxillary palpus of males with numerous conspicuous setae (distinction from subgenus Insulalutzia); proboscis with pale scales in ring (distinction from subgenus Insulalutzia); prealar scales present (distinction from subgenus Insulalutzia); wing with pale markings; tarsi with pale bands. MALE GENITALIA – Subapical lobe of gonocoxite with distinct seta h; gonostylar claw inserted more or less distinctly before apex of gonostylus; lateral plate (opisthophallic sclerite) of phallosome with small (reduced) dorsal arm; basal lateral arm of paraproct absent or inconspicuous. LARVAE – Antenna narrowed beyond seta 1-A, seta 1-A inserted near mid-length of antenna (about halfway from base); seta 4-C inserted at level with seta 7-C; seta 6-C inserted far anterior to seta 5-C, at level of setae 4- and 7-C; seta 9-C inserted anterior to seta 8-C; seta 10-C inserted at level of seta 9-C; seta 4-P multi-branched; seta 1-III,IV large, 0.5–1.0 length of segment (distinction from subgenus Metalutzia); seta 1-V very large, twice or more length of segment; comb with more than 30 scales (distinction from subgenus Insulalutzia); siphon longer than saddle, elements of seta 1-S much shorter than diameter of siphon; ventral brush (seta 4-X) with precratal setae. PUPAE (distinctions from subgenus Insulalutzia) – Seta 1-III,IV branched; seta 5-II inserted mesad of seta 4-II; seta 9-II–VI sharply pointed (distinction from Metalutzia); segment VIII with posterolateral corner rather sharply produced. See genus Lutzia.
Subgenus Lutzia (represented by the type species) was recovered in a basal relationship to two species of subgenus Metalutzia (Lt. fuscana and Lt. halifaxii) in the phylogenetic study of Harbach et al. (2012) based on morphological data. Investigations that include species of all subgenera and species of Lutzia are needed to confirm this relationship.
The immature stages of species of subgenus Lutzia typically occur in small ground pools, and have been found in wheel ruts and barrels. The larvae are voracious predators. The females apparently do not attack humans and are not hematophagous.
Species of subgenus Lutzia are not of medical or economic importance.
Central and South America, from Mexico southward into Argentina.
Lane, 1953 (as species of Culex subgenus Lutzia, taxonomy, keys); Harbach et al., 2012 (Lt. bigoti, morphology, phylogenetic relationships); Kitching et al., 2015 (phylogenetic relationships).
allostigma Howard, Dyar & Knab, 1915
bigoti (Bellardi, 1862)
