Atrichopogon

Kieffer, 1906

biting midges, grass punkies

Species Guides

4

Atrichopogon is a of small biting midges in the Ceratopogonidae, Forcipomyiinae. occur across multiple continents with documented records from the Neotropical region, Patagonia, Europe, and Asia. Some species are of larger insects, while others develop on aquatic vegetation or in terrestrial such as rotting wood. stages show habitat-specific distribution patterns: larvae of A. wirthi occur on water lettuce leaves, and larvae of European Meloehelea subgenus species inhabit rotting pine wood.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Atrichopogon: /ˌætrɪkoʊˈpoʊɡən/

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Habitat

varies by and subgenus. Aquatic and semiaquatic environments: larvae and pupae of A. wirthi develop on leaves of Pistia stratiotes (water lettuce), with larvae preferring undersides of older basal leaves. Terrestrial environments: larvae of European subgenus Meloehelea species are associated with rotting pine wood.

Distribution

Neotropical region; Patagonia (southern Argentina and Chile); Europe; China; Taiwan; Japan; Colombia (Antioquia, Cundinamarca, Magdalena, Tolima); Denmark; Norway; Sweden.

Host Associations

  • Pistia stratiotes - development site for stageslarvae and pupae of A. wirthi occur on leaves; larvae prefer older basal leaves and undersides

Life Cycle

stages include larvae and pupae. Larvae and pupae of A. wirthi occur on aquatic vegetation. Larvae of European Meloehelea subgenus are terrestrial and develop in rotting pine wood. Pupae of A. wirthi show no significant preference for upper versus lower leaf surfaces, unlike larvae.

Behavior

Larvae of A. wirthi exhibit specific microhabitat selection: significantly more abundant on undersides of leaves than upper surfaces, and preferentially inhabit older basal leaves over younger leaves. Some are on larger insects.

Similar Taxa

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