Landcare Research - Manaaki Whenua

Landcare-Research -Manaaki Whenua

Coquillettidia (Coquillettidia) iracunda (Walker, 1848)

New Zealand Status: Endemic

Coquillettidia iracunda, though superficially similar to Coquillettidia tenuipalpis, is a distinct species (Belkin 1968).

Vector and Disease Information

The vector status of Coquillettidia iracunda is unknown (Holder 1999).

Distribution (see map)

New Zealand

Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, Little Barrier Island, Mayor Island, Rangitikei, Buller, Westland (Belkin 1968), Hawkes Bay, Taupo (Holder 1999), Nelson, Mid-Canterbury (GRSNZ 2003). 

Rest of the World

Not present

Taxonomic Position

Coquillettidia iracunda is an endemic species in the group Iracunda (that includes Coquillettidia linealis from Australia) in the worldwide subgenus Coquillettidia (Belkin 1962).

Diagnosis

A diagnosis is the minimum set of characters and states that will separate this taxon from all others in this set of taxa.                                                                    

Diagnostic characters State
Scale patterns on the scutum pale scales forming one or more, longitudinal lines
Postspiracular setae Absent
Prespiracular setae Absent
Base of subcosta on under surface of wing with a patch of setae No

Characteristic Features

Coquillettidia iracunda is readily distinguished from tenuipalpis by its smaller size, and on the lower surface of the wing, the base of the subcosta has broad scales only (Belkin 1968).