Afrotropical Culicoides : Synhelea Kieffer, 1925, resurrected as subgenus to embrace 10 species (Diptera : Ceratopogonidae)

Abstract

Synhelea Kieffer, 1925, is resurrected from synonymy to embrace 10 species of Afrotropical Culicoides. C. tropicalis Kieffer, 1913, is the subgenotype. C. vagus is made a synonym of C. dutoiti while apomorphies common to the remaining species camicasi, congolensis, dispar, moucheti, pellucidus, perettii, tauffliebi and vicinus are discussed. The broad similis group of Cornet & Chateau (1971), under which these 10 species of Synhelea were originally assembled, is not only maintained but expanded by a further 11 species. Various distributional and descriptive data pertinent to Synhelea throughout the Afrotropical region are tabulated, and keys to adult males and females presented. C. perettii and C. moucheti are new records for South Africa. C. dutoiti, C. perettii and C. tropicalis are recorded for the 1st time from Malawi while C. dutoiti and C. tropicalis are newly recorded from Botswana and Namibia respectively. Where available, notes on larval habitats are given. Synhelea is considered endemic to the Afrotropical region and is briefly differentiated from the 25 subgenera currently recognized worldwide. Numerous illustrations accompany the diagnosis.