Genus Runchomyia Theobald, 1903
Runchomyia frontosa Theobald, 1903.
Subfamily Culicinae, tribe Sabethini. Runchomyia includes eight species grouped in two subgenera, Ctenogoeldia (2 species) and Runchomyia (6 species). Genus abbreviation – Ru.
The adults of Runchomyia are distinguished from other members of Sabethini in the New World by the following combination of characters: dorsal head scales with brilliant silver and blue reflections, proboscis distinctly longer than forefemur, scutal scales narrow and curved, postpronotum with one or more posterior setae, lower mesokatepisternal setae not extended above lower edge of mesepimeron and tarsi entirely dark-scaled. Runchomyia larvae possess a slit-like occipital foramen and a filamentous pecten on the siphon, which distinguish them from larvae of Johnbelkinia, Onirion, Shannoniana and Trichoprosopon. The presence of a maxillary bundle distinguishes them from all other New World sabethines. Runchomyia are otherwise very similar to larvae of Isostomyia, but differ in having seta 3-X single and seta 6-S weakly developed, flexible and not hooked at the tip. See Sabethini.
Runchomyia was recovered as the sister of Johnbelkinia in the phylogenetic analysis of Harbach & Kitching (1998). This relationship was supported by a single synapomorphy: maxillary brush of the larva represented by a flexible bundle of coalesced spicules. This character only occurs elsewhere in certain Topomyia, hence it lends rather strong support to the relationship. However, the phylogenetic analyses of Judd (1996) provided evidence that Runchomyia is not a monophyletic taxon. Judd recorded four differences in larval mouthparts and one involving the pupal trumpet that distinguish the two subgenera, and apparently support closer relationships with other New World genera of tribe Sabethini.
Little is known about the bionomics of Runchomyia. Larvae have been collected from flower bracts (Calathea and Heliconia), leaf axils (aroids) and both arboreal and terrestrial bromeliads. The adults of at least two species have been captured during landing-biting collections on humans in forest.
Runchomyia species are unlikely to be of medical or economic importance to humans.
Species of Runchomyia occur in the Neotropical Region.
Lane, 1953 (subgenera Ctenogoeldia and Runchomyia of Trichoprosopon, see next reference for included species); Zavortink, 1979 (genus as currently defined, less Isostomyia, keys to genus groups); Clark-Gil & Darsie, 1983 (Guatemala, keys); Darsie, 1985 (Argentina, keys); Harbach & Peyton, 1993 (comparative morphology of larval maxillae).
Ctenogoeldia (see).
Runchomyia (see).
