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Revista de Biología Tropical

On-line version ISSN 0034-7744Print version ISSN 0034-7744

Rev. biol. trop vol.59 n.3 San José Sep. 2011

 

Biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from Martín García Island, Argentina

María M. Ronderos, Pablo I. Marino, Florentina Díaz & Ana L. Estévez

División Entomología, Museo de La Plata, Paseo del Bosque s/n, 1900 La Plata, Argentina; ronderos@fcnym.unlp.edu.ar, pmarino@fcnym.unlp.edu.ar, mfdiaz@fcnym.unlp.edu.ar, anitaestevez@argentina.com

Dirección para correspondencia


Abstract

Nearly 230 species of biting midges have been recorded or described from Argentina; 38 of them are known from the Buenos Aires province and only one is cited from Martín García Island. This paper presents the results raised from six collecting trips which took place on the island during spring 2005, summer 2006 and autumn 2009. Diverse sampling sites including permanent and temporary aquatic environments were chosen, most of the ten sampling sites were ponds of diverse origin, some of these environments were covered with floating vegetation as Lemna gibba, Lemna minuscule, Salvinia biloba, Salvinia minima, Azolla filiculoides, Limnobium laevigatum, Pistia stratiotes, Spirodela intermedia, Wolffiella oblonga and Wolffia columbiana. Other sites were placed in urban and suburban areas. Adults were collected with sweep nets at sunrise and sunset and with light traps at intervals of four to five hours at night, depending on electricity availability on the island. Larvae and pupae were collected with different implements depending on characteristics of each surveyed aquatic habitat. In free standing water, they were captured with small sieves or hand pipettes and micropipettes, flotation techniques were utilized for sampling vegetated areas, free and rooted floating hydrophytes were extracted for removing insects among them. Thirteen species of Ceratopogonidae were collected, three of Atrichopogon Kieffer, three of Forcipomyia Meigen, two of Dasyhelea Kieffer, four of Culicoides Latreille, and one of Bezzia Kieffer, all representing new records from the island. Rev. Biol. Trop. 59 (3): 1183-1194. Epub 2011 September 01.

Key words: biting midges, Ceratopogonidae, new records, Martín García Island, Argentina.

Resumen

Alrededor de 230 especies de ceratopogónidos han sido registradas o descritas en Argentina, 38 de ellas son conocidas para la provincia de Buenos Aires y sólo una ha sido previamente citada para la Isla Martín García. En este trabajo se presentan los resultados obtenidos a partir de muestreos realizados en seis viajes a la isla durante la primavera de 2005, verano de 2006 y otoño de 2009; se seleccionaron diez sitios de muestreo con ambientes acuáticos permanentes y temporales. La mayoría de los muestreos se llevaron a cabo en cuerpos de agua de diverso origen; algunos de éstos se hallaban cubiertos con vegetación flotante compuesta por Lemna gibba, Lemna minuscule, Salvinia biloba, Salvinia minima, Azolla filiculoides, Limnobium laevigatum, Pistia stratiotes, Spirodela intermedia, Wolffiella oblonga y Wolffia columbiana; mientras que los restantes se realizaron en zonas urbanas y suburbanas. Los adultos se capturaron con redes entomológicas a la salida y puesta del sol y con trampas de luz a intervalos de cuatro a cinco horas por la noche, dependiendo de la disponibilidad de electricidad en la isla. Las larvas y pupas fueron recolectadas con diferentes metodologías según las características de los ambientes estudiados; en el agua libre se capturaron con tamices pequeños o pipetas y micropipetas, y en cuerpos de agua con vegetación se utilizó la técnica de flotación para separar los insectos de las hidrófitas flotantes y arraigadas. Se identificaron trece especies de Ceratopogonidae, 3 de Atrichopogon Kieffer, 3 de Forcipomyia Meigen, 2 de Dasyhelea Kieffer, 4 de Culicoides Latreille, y uno de Bezzia Kieffer, todos ellos representan nuevos registros para la isla.

Palabras clave: Ceratopogonidae, nuevos registros, Isla Martín García, Argentina.

Martín García Island is located in the Northeastern bend of the Río de la Plata estuary, near the mouth of Río Uruguay and the lower delta of Río Paraná (34°10’56’’ S - 58°15’86’’ W), in North of Buenos Aires province, Argentina. It is the highest island in the Paraná River delta region, at 27m above sea level, with an annual average rainfall of 1 000mm. The island is composed of granite and other igneous intrusive rocks of the Brasilian massif; differs from other islands of Delta del Paraná which were formed by sediments deposited by the Paraná and Uruguay rivers. The origin and resulting geomorphologic features of Martín García have given rise to an unusually varied flora and fauna.

In order to preserve its flora and fauna, the island was declared Provincial Natural Reserve in 1998. Lahitte & Hurrell (1994, 1996) published studies of trees and bushes as well as aquatic plants. Contributions dealing with vertebrates were provided by Juárez (1995), Lahitte et al. (1995) and Lahitte & Hurrell (1998). There have been only a few noteworthy contributions on invertebrates, such as those on annelids (Armendáriz & César 2001, César & Liberto 2008, César et al. 2001, César et al. 2009) and ostracods (César & Liberto 2008, César et al. 2001). Except for the excellent works on aquatic and semi aquatic Heteroptera and Coleoptera occurring on the island (viana 1937, Fernández & López Ruf 1999) most other aquatic and semi-aquatic insect groups have not been adequately studied.

Nearly 230 species of biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) have been recorded or described from Argentina (Spinelli 1998, Spinelli & Wirth 1993, Ronderos & Spinelli 2002, Borkent & Spinelli 2007). The ceratopogonid fauna of Buenos Aires province is well known with 38 species recorded, 25 of which belong to Atrichopogon Kieffer, Forcipomyia Meigen, Dasyhelea Kieffer, Culicoides Latreille and Bezzia Kieffer; only one species of Forcipomyia has previously been cited from Martín García Island. Most of these ceratopogonids have been collected during studies of nocturnal activity and the influence of climatic and physical factors on their abundance (Spinelli & Balseiro 1982, Spinelli et al. 1989). The development of immature stages of four species has also been treated (Ronderos & Spinelli 2000, Ronderos & Díaz 2002, Ronderos et al. 2003a, Spinelli et al. 2005a). The larvae and pupae of nearly all members of this family are aquatic or semi-aquatic, detritivores or predators. Adults are herbivorous or predators, sucking nectar from flowers or insects’ blood and of other invertebrates and vertebrates. These alimentary habits make these insects renowned all over the world by their economic significance, because many of them are disease vectors or pollinators (Spinelli & Wirth 1993, Ronderos et al. 2003b).

We present results of field work on Martín García Island, a previously poorly known area in Buenos Aires province, and provide a list of ceratopogonids collected from this island (Table 1).




Material and methods

Six collecting trips were conducted on the island during spring 2005 and summer 2006, and autumn 2009. Most of the ten sampling sites were ponds produced by excavations for basalt, natural ponds at the base of a sand dune formed in natural depressions in the marginal forest, or, in zones near the inland sandy plains. These sampling sites were located in xerophytic forest, transition forest, regular forest, sandy soils, urban and suburban areas (Fig. 1). The inland aquatic habitats near river margins were produced by river overflows and rainfall; other marshes were formed by rainfall accumulation. Sampling sites 5 and 7 were considered stable habitats; sampling sites 1-4, 6, 8 and 9 were considered temporary environments and during the sampling period underwent fluctuations of water levels, until desiccation.

Floating vegetation covering these habitats include Lemna gibba L., Lemna minuscule Herter, Salvinia biloba Raddi, Salvinia minima Baker, Azolla filiculoides Lam., Limnobium laevigatum (Hum. & Boupl. ex Willd.) Heine, Pistia stratiotes L., Spirodela intermedia W. Koch, Wolffiella oblonga (Phil.) Hegelm and Wolffia columbiana H. Karst. Their actual species composition was changeable according to amount and quality of nutrients depending on time of the year (Lahitte & Hurrell 1996).

Adults were collected with sweep nets at sunrise and sunset and with light traps at intervals of 4 to 5 hours at night, depending on electricity availability on the island. Larvae and pupae were collected with different implements depending on characteristics of each surveyed aquatic habitat. In free standing water, they were captured with small sieves or hand pipettes and micropipettes, flotation techniques were utilized for sampling vegetated areas, and free and rooted floating hydrophytes were extracted to remove insects among them. Specimens were preserved in 70% ethyl alcohol, most adults and immature stages were subsequently slide mounted in Canada balsam for microscopic examination and some larvae were reared in the laboratory, in petri dishes containing water and detritus taken from their natural substrates. Pupae were placed in separate vials, with a drop of water until adult emergence.

Specimens were identified with the use of keys (Spinelli et al. 2005, Borkent & Spinelli 2007) and by comparing them with previously identified material. voucher specimens are deposited in the collection of the División Entomología, Museo de La Plata, Argentina (MLPA)

Results

The following 13 species of Ceratopogonidae in Atrichopogon (3 species), Forcipomyia (3 species), Dasyhelea (2 species), Culicoides (4 species) and Bezzia (1 species), were collected during the field work and are new records from Martín García island, Argentina.

Atrichopogon albinensis Ingram & Macfie

Atrichopogon albinensis Ingram & Macfie, 1931: 228 (female; Argentina); Wirth, 1974: 13 (in catalog species south of USA); Spinelli & Wirth, 1993: 23 (in list of Argentinean species); Borkent & Wirth, 1997: 22 (in World catalog); Spinelli, 1998: 325 (in list of Argentinean species); Borkent & Spinelli, 2000: 10 (in catalog species south of USA); Borkent & Spinelli, 2007: 44 (in Neotropical catalog); Borkent, 2009: 17 (online catalog).

Distribution: Argentina (Buenos Aires).

Material examined: Argentina, Buenos Aires, Isla Martín García: Área urbana, 11-X-2006, Ronderos-Díaz col., 1 male, 1 female, at light.

Comments: Atrichopogon albinensis was previously only known from the type locality. Specimens were collected with light trap at sampling site 10. The immatures are still unknown.

Atrichopogon homofacies Spinelli

Atrichopogon homofacies Spinelli in Spinelli et al., 1989: 734 (male, female; Argentina); Spinelli & Wirth, 1993: 23 (in list of Argentinean species); Borkent & Wirth, 1997: 24 (in World catalog); Spinelli, 1998: 325 (in list of Argentinean species); Borkent & Spinelli, 2000: 11 (in catalog species south of USA); Borkent & Spinelli, 2007: 46 (in Neotropical catalog); Borkent, 2009: 21 (online catalog).

Distribution: Argentina (Buenos Aires).

Material examined: Argentina, Buenos Aires, Isla Martín García: Área urbana, 11-X-2006, Ronderos-Díaz col., 1 male, 1 female, at light.

Comments: Atrichopogon homofacies was previously only known from the type locality. Specimens were collected with light trap during nights at sampling site 10. The immatures are still unknown.

Atrichopogon sp.

Material examined: Argentina, Buenos Aires prov., Isla Martín García, Arenal Chico, 11-XI-2005, Ronderos-Díaz col., 2 larvae; same data except 31-III-2006, 1 larva.

Comments: Immature stages were collected in submerged in muddy water with pipette at sampling site 2.

Forcipomyia (Forcipomyia) pictoni Macfie

Forcipomyia pictoni Macfie, 1938: 161 (male; Trinidad).

Forcipomyia (Forcipomyia) pictoni: Wirth, 1974: 6 (in catalog species south of USA); Wirth, 1976: 78 (descr. female, larva, pupa, male redescr.; distrib.); Borkent & Wirth, 1997: 36 (in World catalog); Marino & Spinelli, 1999: 446 (in key); Borkent & Spinelli, 2000: 15 (in catalog species south of USA); Borkent & Spinelli, 2007: 51 (in Neotropical catalog); Borkent & Grogan, 2009: 7 (in Nearctic catalog); Borkent, 2009: 38 (online catalog);
Spinelli et al. 2010: in press (new records).

Distribution: Widespread, from USA to Brazil (Amazonas, Pará, Bahia and São Paulo) and Argentina (La Rioja, Formosa, Misiones, Corrientes).

Material examined: Argentina, Buenos Aires, Isla Martín García: Área urbana, 30/31-III-2006, Ronderos col., 1 male, at light.

Comments: Specimens were collected with light trap during dusk at sampling site 10.

Forcipomyia (Forcipomyia) poulaineae Ingram & Macfie

Forcipomyia poulaineae Ingram & Macfie, 1931: 227 (male; Argentina); Macfie, 1939: 142 (in key).

Forcipomyia (Forcipomyia) poulaineae: Wirth, 1974: 6 (in catalog species south of USA); Spinelli, 1983: 124 (female descr.); Spinelli & Wirth, 1993: 27 (in list of Argentinean species); Borkent & Wirth, 1997: 36 (in World catalog); Spinelli, 1998: 325 (in list of Argentinean species); Marino & Spinelli, 1999: 450 (species group); Borkent & Spinelli, 2000: 15 (in catalog species south of USA); Borkent & Spinelli, 2007: 51 (in Neotropical catalog); Borkent, 2009: 38 (online catalog).

Distribution: Brazil (Bahía, Santa Catarina), Argentina (Buenos Aires).

Material examined: Argentina, Buenos Aires, Isla Martín García, urban area, 11-X-2006, Ronderos-Díaz col., 1 male, at light.

Comments: The specimens were collected with light trap during dusk at sampling site 10.

Forcipomyia (Forcipomyia) rioplatensis Marino & Spinelli

Forcipomyia (Forcipomyia) rioplatensis Marino & Spinelli, 2002: 314 (male, female; Argentina); Spinelli et al. 2005a: 109 (descr. larva, pupa); Borkent & Spinelli, 2007: 51 (in Neotropical catalog); Borkent, 2009: 39 (online catalog); Spinelli et al. 2010: in press (new records).

Distribution: Argentina (Buenos Aires, Córdoba), Uruguay.

Material examined: Argentina, Buenos Aires, Isla Martín García, urban area, 30/31-III-2006, Ronderos-Díaz col., 1 female, at light; same data except 11-X-2006, 1 male, 3 females.

Comments: The specimens were collected with light trap during dusk at sampling site 10.

Dasyhelea necrophila Spinelli & Rodriguez

Dasyhelea necrophila Spinelli & Rodriguez, 1999: 59 (male, female, pupa, larva); Ronderos et al. 2003a: 295 (larva, pupa redescr.), Ronderos et al. 2006: 291 (eggs), Borkent & Spinelli, 2007: 60 (in Neotropical catalog); Borkent, 2009: 67 (online catalog).

Distribution: México, Argentina (Buenos Aires).

Material examined: Argentina, Buenos Aires, Isla Martín García, Cementerio, 12-X-2006, Díaz col., 2 males (reared in lab, with larval and pupal exuviae).

Comments: The immature stages were collected from flower pots, with pipette at sampling site 6.

Dasyhelea sp.

Material examined: Argentina, Buenos Aires, Isla Martín García, Casa de Bombas, 16-IV-2009, Díaz-Marino col., 3 males, 4 females, (reared in lab, with pupal exuviae), 4 larvae (preserved in alcohol 70%).

Comments: The immature stages were collected in a small hole filled by overflows of the nearby river with pipette and floating techniques at sampling site 8. The description of this species will be presented in a future contribution.

Culicoides caridei (Brèthes)

Cotocripus caridei Brèthes 1912: 451 (female; Argentina).

Culicoides caridei: Lane, 1945: 366 (redescr., comb.; Brazil); Barbosa, 1947: 13 (Uruguay); Wirth, 1960: 44 (female, redescr.); Cavalieri & Chiossone, 1966: 147 (Argentina), Wirth, 1974: 29 (in catalog species south of USA); Spinelli, 1982: 80 (redescr.; Argentina); Spinelli & Wirth, 1986: 59 (in key, distribution); Wirth et al. 1988: 54 (in Neotropical atlas, wing); Ronderos & Spinelli, 1990: 83 (male); Spinelli & Wirth, 1993: 34 (in list of Argentinean species); Borkent & Wirth, 1997: 64 (in World catalog); Spinelli, 1998: 325 (in list of Argentinean species); Borkent & Spinelli, 2000: 29 (in catalog of south USA species); Ronderos & Spinelli, 2002: 90 (in key); Spinelli et al. 2005b: 138, 142 (in key, wing photo; Argentina); Spinelli & Ronderos, 2005: 63 (wing); Borkent & Spinelli, 2007: 64 (in Neotropical catalog); Borkent, 2009: 78 (online catalog).

Centrorrhynchus setifer Lutz, 1913: 64 (female; Brazil).

Dasyhelea caridei Lane & Ortiz, 1950: 460 (comb.); Forattini 1957: 189 (generic position).

Distribution: Southeastern Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina (Buenos Aires).

Material examined: Argentina, Buenos Aires prov., Isla Martín García: Área urbana, 9-III-2006, Ronderos col., 5 females, ex man; same data except 10-X-2006, 3 females; same data except Cantera Basural, 11-X-2006, 5 females.

Comments: The specimens were collected biting on humans during dusk at sampling sites 3, 10.

Culicoides debilipalpis Lutz

Culicoides debilipalpis Lutz, 1913: 60 (female, fig. wing; Brazil); Macfie, 1937: 7 (female; redescr.; Trinidad); Floch & Abonnenc, 1942: 3 (figs.; Guyane); Barbosa, 1952: 12 (fig.; Argentina, Brazil); Forattini, 1957: 383 (in part.; redescr., figs.; distrib.); Wirth & Blanton, 1959: 442 (redescr., figs.; Panama); Franca Rodriguez, 1963: 67 (Uruguay); Messersmith, 1964: 339 (breeding site; virginia); Smith & varnell, 1967: 520 (tree holes; Florida); Wirth & Blanton, 1971a: 34 (redescr., distrib.); Wirth & Blanton, 1971b: 75 (khalafi as syn.; notes); Blanton & Wirth, 1979: 78 (redescr., figs., distrib.); vitale et al. 1981: 149 (notes; Panama); Spinelli & Ronderos 1997: 304 (revalidation); Borkent & Spinelli, 2000: 32 (in catalog species south of USA); Spinelli et al. 2005b: 141, 146 (in key, wing photo; Argentina); Trindade & Gorayeb, 2005: 67 (records for Para, Brazil); Borkent & Spinelli, 2007: 66 (in Neotropical catalog); Borkent & Grogan, 2009:14 (in Nearctic catalog); Borkent, 2009: 80 (online catalog).

Culicoides ichesi Ronderos & Spinelli, 1995: 77 (female, figs.; Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay); Ronderos & Spinelli, 1998: 81 (in key; record for the Yacyreta dam lake area).

Culicoides khalafi Beck, 1957: 104 (male, female, fig.; Florida).

Culicoides lahillei; Spinelli & Wirth, 1986: 62 (misident., in part., syn. debilipalpis); Wirth et al. 1988: 48 (in Atlas, wing photo.); Spinelli et al. 1989: 735 (in list); Spinelli & Ronderos, 1991: 91 (record for the Salto Grande dam lake area); Spinelli & Martinez, 1991: 176 (in key; Uruguay); Waller et al. 1990: 352 (redescr., wing photo; Guyana); Borkent & Wirth, 1997: 72 (in catalog, syn. debilipalpis).

Distribution: Widespread from USA to Argentina.

Material examined: Argentina, Buenos Aires prov., Isla Martín García, Cantera Basural, 3-III-2006, Ronderos col., 3 females, sweep net (preserved in alcohol 70%), same data except 30/31-III-2006, 1 female.

Comments: Specimens were collected with sweep net during day time at sampling site 3.

Culicoides insignis Lutz

Culicoides insignis Lutz, 1913: 50 (male, female, pupa, fig. wing; Brazil); Costa Lima, 1937: 415 (fig. palpus); Floch & Abonnenc, 1942: 1 (fig. wing, palpus; Guyana Francesa); Barbosa, 1947: 20 (fig. male genitalia); Fox, 1948: 25 (notes); Barbosa, 1952: 16 (notes on Lutz collection); Wirth & Blanton, 1956: 319 (redescr., male lectotype design., distrib.); Forattini et al. 1956: 195 (larva, pupa; Brazil); Forattini, 1957: 223 (redescr., distrib.); Wirth & Blanton, 1959: 285 (redescr., figs.; Panamá); Williams, 1964: 463 (habitat larva; Trinidad); Linley, 1965: 57 (pupa; Jamaica); Cavalieri & Chiossone, 1966: 148 (Argentina); Wirth, 1974: 25 (in catalog species south of USA); Wirth & Blanton, 1974: 57 (redescr.; Antillas); Aitken et al. 1975: 130 (Trinidad); Spinelli & Wirth, 1986: 52 (in key, wing photo); Wirth et al. 1988: 16 (in Neotropical atlas wing); Spinelli & Ronderos, 1991: 85 (Uruguay); Spinelli & Wirth, 1993: 34 (in list of Argentinean species); Borkent & Wirth, 1997: 71 (in World catalog); Spinelli, 1998: 325 (in list of Argentinean species); Ronderos & Spinelli, 1998: 79 (in key); Borkent & Spinelli, 2000: 34 (in catalog species of south USA); Spinelli et al. 2005b: 139, 142 (in key, wing photo; Argentina); Spinelli & Ronderos, 2005: 63 (wing); Borkent & Spinelli, 2007: 68 (in Neotropical catalog); Borkent & Grogan, 2009:14 (in Nearctic catalog); Borkent, 2009: 86 (online catalog).

Culicoides inamollae Fox & Hoffman, 1944:110 (male, female; Puerto Rico).

Culicoides painteri Fox, 1946: 257 (female; Honduras).

Distribution: USA, México, Central America and Caribean to central Argentina.

Material examined: Argentina, Buenos Aires prov., Isla Martín García, Cantera Tanque, 18/23-X-2006, Ronderos-Díaz col., 1 female, sweep net.

Comments: Specimens were collected with sweep net during day time, at sampling site 5.

Culicoides venezuelensis Ortiz & Mirsa

Psycophaena pictipennis Philippi, 1865: 628 (female, fig. wing; Chile).

Culicoides venezuelensis Ortiz & Mirsa, 1950: 137 (male, female, figs.; venezuela); Wirth, 1955: 234 (= pictipennis Philippi 1865, non Steager, 1839; = ortizi Fox); Forattini, 1957: 463 (redescr.; distrib., figs.); Wirth & Blanton, 1959: 372 (redescr., figs.; Panama); Wirth, 1974: 36 (in catalog species south of USA); Spinelli & Wirth, 1986: 64 (in key, distrib., wing photo); Wirth et al. 1988: 42 (in Neotropical atlas, wing); Ronderos & Spinelli, 1989: 77 (pupa); Spinelli & Wirth, 1993: 35 (in list of Argentinean species); Borkent & Wirth, 1997: 84 (in World catalog); Borkent & Spinelli, 2000: 37 (in catalog species of south USA); Spinelli & Borkent, 2004: 393 (Costa Rica record); Díaz et al. 2005: 1 (eggs); Spinelli et al. 2005b: 140, 144 (in key, wing photo; Argentina); Borkent & Spinelli, 2007: 71 (in Neotropical catalog); Borkent, 2009: 104 (online catalog).

Culicoides ortizi Fox, 1952: 366 (female; venezuela).

Distribution: Costa Rica to Chile and Argentina.

Material examined: Argentina, Buenos Aires prov., Isla Martín García, Arenal Chico, 11-X-2006, Ronderos-Díaz col., 1 male, 1 female, sweep net; same data except 18/23-X-2006, 1 female (reared in lab; 3 larvae and 3 pupal exuviae preserved in alcohol 70%).

Comments: Specimens were collected with sweep net during day time at sampling site 2. Immature stages were collected at the same site with floating techniques. Larvae were reared in the laboratory until adult emergence.

Bezzia blantoni Spinelli & Wirth

Bezzia blantoni Spinelli & Wirth 1989: 771 (male, female, pupa; distrib.); Spinelli & Wirth, 1993: 63 (in list of Argentinean species); Borkent & Wirth, 1997: 125 (in World catalog); Borkent & Spinelli, 2000: 60 (in catalog south USA species); Borkent & Spinelli, 2007: 93 (in Neotropical catalog); Borkent, 2009: 157 (online catalog); Ronderos & Spinelli, 2009 (larva, pupa).
 
Distribution: Belize to Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Argentina (Corrientes, Buenos Aires).

Material examined: Argentina, Buenos Aires prov., Isla Martín García, Arenal Chico, 20-VII-2006, Ronderos-Díaz col., 1 male (reared in lab with larval exuvia), 1 female (reared in lab with pupal exuvia), 3 larvae, 2 pupae; same data except 14-IX-2006, 1 male (reared in lab with pupal exuvia), same data except 11-X-2006, 1 male (reared in lab with pupal exuvia), 2 larvae.

Comments: Immature stages were collected with floating techniques at sampling site 2. Larvae and pupae were reared in the laboratory until adult emergence.

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge Dirección de Administración de Áreas Protegidas y Conservación de la Biodiversidad (Reservas y Monumentos Naturales) Ministerio de Asuntos Agrarios de la Provincia de Buenos Aires for the permission to carry out our research in the island, to Inés César for her suggestions as to Nélida Caligaris for technical assistance.

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Correpondencia a:
María M. Ronderos, Pablo I. Marino, Florentina Díaz & Ana L. Estévez.  División Entomología, Museo de La Plata, Paseo del Bosque s/n, 1900 La Plata, Argentina; ronderos@fcnym.unlp.edu.ar, pmarino@fcnym.unlp.edu.ar, mfdiaz@fcnym.unlp.edu.ar, anitaestevez@argentina.com

Received 21-VII-2010. Corrected 04-I-2011. Accepted 01-II-2011.

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