Forcipomyia fairfaxensis

Wirth, 1951

Forcipomyia fairfaxensis is a of in the , first described by Wirth in 1951. It is placed in the subgenus Lasiohelea. The species has been documented bloodfeeding on frogs in Algonquin Park, Ontario. Like other Forcipomyia species, it possesses distinctive antennal and palpal that have been studied morphologically.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Forcipomyia fairfaxensis: /fɔrˈsɪpoʊˌmaɪə ˌfɛərˌfæksˈɛnsɪs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

As a member of Forcipomyia (Lasiohelea), this possesses antennal (chaetica, trichodea, basiconica, and coeloconica) that are significantly higher in number than those found on mammalophilic or ornithophilic ceratopogonids. The third palpal bears a cluster of approximately 26 bulbous sensilla in a pit—an intermediate number compared to mammal-feeding and bird-feeding species. Males have , bushy . Accurate identification requires microscopic examination of these sensory structures.

Distribution

Known from Algonquin Park, Ontario, Canada, and recorded from Vermont, USA.

Diet

females bloodfeed on frogs. Both sexes feed on nectar and other sugary liquids.

Host Associations

frogs - blood documented bloodfeeding on frogs in Algonquin Park, Ontario

Similar Taxa

Culicoides speciesSimilar () but distinguished by antennal and palpal structure and number; F. fairfaxensis has significantly more antennal sensilla and an intermediate number of palpal sensilla compared to mammalophilic and ornithophilic
other Forcipomyia speciesRequires microscopic examination of antennal and palpal for definitive identification; subgenus Lasiohelea placement based on morphological characters

More Details

Sensilla morphology

The has been specifically studied for its antennal and palpal structure. It possesses four of antennal sensilla (chaetica, trichodea, basiconica, coeloconica) that differ in distribution from mammalophilic and ornithophilic ceratopogonids. The ~26 bulbous sensilla on the third palpal represent an intermediate count between species feeding on mammals versus birds.

Taxonomic placement

Listed as a synonym of Forcipomyia (Lasiohelea) fairfaxensis in some sources; the subgenus Lasiohelea is recognized within Forcipomyia.