Subgenus Metalutzia Tanaka, 2003
Lutzia vorax Edwards, 1921.
Subfamily Culicinae, genus Lutzia. Subgenus Metalutzia includes six species. Subgenus abbreviation – Mlt.
Species of subgenus Metalutzia are distinguished from the species of subgenera Insulalutzia and Lutzia as follows. ADULTS – Compound eyes partially separated, contiguous above antennal pedicels (distinction from subgenus Lutzia); maxillary palpus of males with numerous conspicuous setae (distinction from subgenus Insulalutzia); proboscis usually with variable pale scaling mid-ventrally or in ring (distinction from subgenus Insulalutzia); prealar scales present (distinction from subgenus Insulalutzia); wing entirely dark-scaled (distinction from subgenus Lutzia); tarsi without pale bands (distinction from subgenus Lutzia). MALE GENITALIA (distinctions from subgenus Lutzia) – Seta h of subapical lobe of gonocoxite not developed or differentiated; gonostylar claw borne at apex of gonostylus; lateral plate (opisthophallic sclerite) of phallosome without dorsal arm; paraproct with prominent basal lateral arm. LARVAE (distinctions from subgenus Lutzia except where indicated otherwise) – Antenna more or less cylindrical, not narrowed beyond seta 1-A, seta 1-A inserted on proximal half of antenna (about 0.25 from base); seta 4-C inserted well posterior to seta 7-C; seta 6-C inserted posterior to seta 5-C; seta 9-C inserted posterior to seta 8-C; seta 10-C inserted anterior to seta 9-C; seta 4-P normally single; seta 1-III,IV small, less than half length of segment (distinction from subgenera Insulalutzia and Lutzia); seta 1-V large, 0.5–1.0 length of segment; comb with more than 30 scales (distinction from subgenus Insulalutzia); siphon shorter than or at most as long as saddle, elements of seta 1-S much longer than diameter of siphon; ventral brush (seta 4-X) without precratal setae (always?). PUPAE (distinctions from subgenus Insulalutzia) – Seta 1-III,IV branched; seta 5-II inserted mesad of seta 4-II; seta 9-II–VI blunt-tipped (distinction from Insulalutzia and Lutzia); segment VIII with posterolateral corner rather sharply produced. See genus Lutzia.
Subgenus Metalutzia (represented by Lt. fuscana and Lt. halifaxii) was recovered as the sister of subgenus Lutzia in the phylogenetic study of Harbach et al. (2012). Investigations that include species of all subgenera and species of Lutzia are needed to confirm this relationship.
The immature stages of species of subgenus Metalutzia occur in a wide range of habitats, which are limited only by the presence or absence of other mosquito larvae and aquatic organisms that serve as prey. They commonly inhabit various temporary and permanent bodies of stagnant ground water, but frequently occur in all types of natural and artificial containers. Females are rarely attracted to humans. Little else is known about the bionomics of the adults.
Species of subgenus Metalutzia are not known or suspected of being of medical importance.
Species of subgenus Metalutzia occur mainly in the Oriental Region. The distribution of Lt. fuscana extends to Timor in the Australasian Region whereas Lt. halifaxii is widely distributed in the Australasian as well as the Oriental Region. Lutzia tigripes, the only Afrotropical member of the subgenus, is found throughout the Afrotropical Region.
Edwards, 1941 (as species of Culex subgenus Lutzia, Afrotropical species, taxonomy, adults, pupae); Hopkins, 1952 (as species of Culex subgenus Lutzia, Afrotropical species, larvae); Belkin, 1962 (as species of Culex subgenus Lutzia, South Pacific species, taxonomy); Bram, 1967 (as species of Culex subgenus Lutzia, Thailand species); Tanaka et al., 1979 (as species of Culex subgenus Lutzia, Japan); Lee et al., 1988 (as species of Culex subgenus Lutzia, Australasian Region, taxonomy, bionomics, keys); Tanaka, 2003 (taxonomy, pupae, keys); Rattanarithikul et al., 2005 (Thailand, bionomics, keys); Harbach et al., 2012 (morphology, phylogenetic relationships); Kitching et al., 2015 (phylogenetic relationships).
agranensis Singh & Prakash, 2008
chiangmaiensis Somboon & Harbach, 2019
fuscana (Wiedemann, 1820)
halifaxii (Theobald, 1903)
tigripes (de Grandpré & de Charmoy, 1901)
vorax Edwards, 1921
