Subgenus Austromansonia Belkin, 1968
Coquillettidia tenuipalpis (Edwards, 1924); original combination: Taeniorhynchus (Coquillettidia) tenuipalpis.
Subfamily Culicinae, genus Coquillettidia. Subgenus Austromansonia is monobasic. Subgenus abbreviation – Aus.
The following features distinguish Austromansonia from the other subgenera of Coquillettidia. ADULTS – Antennal flagellum of males with flagellomeres 12 and 13 together distinctly longer than remainder of flagellum; maxillary palpus of males with palpomeres 4 and 5 slightly upturned, with sparse setae; mesokatepisternum and base of prealar area with a continuous patch of scales; subcosta of wing with large patch of setae on lower surface; ungues of all legs with long fine spicules on outer surface at base. MALE GENITALIA – Gonocoxite without mesa1 membrane and lobes; aedeagus long. LARVAE – Unknown. PUPAE – Paddle with only inner margin produced at apex; seta 2-VII present; seta 3-VII absent, frequently represented by an alveolus; seta 9-VIII at apex of caudolateral angle of segment; seta 1-IX absent. See genus Coquillettidia.
Belkin (1968) noted that “Austromansonia seems to be the most primitive and generalized phylad of Coquillettidia and of the entire tribe Mansoniini”. The evolutionary relationships of Austromansonia with the other subgenera of Coquillettidia have not been explicitly investigated.
The immature stages of Coquillettidia tenuipalpis are known to occur in shallow margins of ponds and small lakes choked with various types of vegetation, the roots and stems of which provide a source of attachment and respiration for larvae and pupae. Adults rest in vegetation found in and around the larval habitats and adjacent banks. Females have been collected attempting to bite humans in the vicinity of the aquatic habitats, but few in number (Belkin, 1968).
Coquillettidia tenuipalpis is not known to be of medical or economic importance.
New Zealand.
Belkin, 1968 (New Zealand, taxonomy); Lee et al., 1988 (New Zealand, taxonomy, description).
tenuipalpis (Edwards, 1924)
