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Sampling Techniques for Bloodsucking Dipterans (Diptera: Culicidae, Simuliidae, Ceratopogonidae, Tabanidae)

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Abstract

Techniques for sampling and preserving bloodsucking dipterans: mosquitoes, blackflies, biting midges, and horseflies (Diptera: Culicidae, Simuliidae, Ceratopogonidae, Tabanidae) are reviewed. We partly developed these techniques and used them in ecological, faunistic, and taxonomic studies requiring identification of specimens. Here, we describe the techniques used for adults, larvae, and pupae, both common to all the bloodsucking dipterans and specific to each group. For example, techniques for rearing larvae and pupae are described.

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Notes

  1. In this paper we do not consider sandflies (Psychodidae: Phlebotominae), stable flies (Muscidae: Stomoxys Geoffroy, 1762), louse flies (Hippoboscidae), and some other groups of bloodsucking dipterans.

  2. e-mail: s.v.aibulatov@gmail.com

  3. e-mail: dipteran@mail.ru

  4. Live pupae usually float to the surface, while dead ones sink; moreover, live pupae often make characteristic movements, bending their abdomens.

  5. This section covers the techniques of storing specimens in the dry state and in fluid fixatives. The problems of protecting the material from storage pests, moisture, etc. are not considered here.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors are grateful to E.P. Nartshuk (Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences) and I.A. Budaeva (Voronezh State University) for reviewing the manuscript, and also to E.Yu. Kirtsideli (St. Petersburg) for the photos of larval and adult blackflies.

Funding

This research was based on the taxonomic collection of the Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences. The work of A.V. Khalin and S.V. Aibulatov was financially supported by the Additional State Assignment AAAA-A17117030310209-7. The work of A.A. Przhiboro was partly supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (project 18-04-00988) and by the State Research Assignment AAAA-A19-119020690091-0.

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  1. Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, 199034, St. Petersburg, Russia

    A. V. Khalin, S. V. Aibulatov & A. A. Przhiboro

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  1. A. V. Khalin
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Khalin, A.V., Aibulatov, S.V. & Przhiboro, A.A. Sampling Techniques for Bloodsucking Dipterans (Diptera: Culicidae, Simuliidae, Ceratopogonidae, Tabanidae). Entmol. Rev. 101, 1219–1243 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0013873821090013

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