Culiseta (Climacura) species
New Zealand Status: Endemic
Two endemic species with small disjunct distributions occur in New Zealand.
- Culiseta (Climacura) novaezelandiae Pillai, 1966
- Culiseta (Climacura) tonnoiri (Edwards, 1925)
Vector and Disease Information
Culiseta tonnoiri is a laboratory vector of Whataroa virus, but it is unknown if this occurs in the natural environment. The vector staus of novaezelandiae is unknown (Holder 1999).
Distribution
New Zealand
Culiseta (Climacura) novaezelandiae Pillai, 1966: South East Otago (Pillai 1966, Dumbleton 1968). (see map)
Culiseta (Climacura) tonnoiri (Edwards, 1925): Waipoua Kauri Forest (Miller & Phillipps 1952); Auckland, Maruia Springs, Westland, Otago, Southland (Belkin 1962, 1968).
Rest of the World
Not present
Taxonomic Position
They are difficult to tell apart as adults, although the larvae are more distinct. There is some thought that these two species are in fact one highly variable species (Belkin 1968).
Diagnosis
A diagnosis is the minimum set of characters and states that will separate this taxon from this set of taxa.
| Diagnostic characters | State |
| Prespiracular setae | Present |
| Lower mesepimeral setae (one or more) | Present |
Characteristic Features
Wing: membrane with large dark spots due to the aggregation of dark scales in mid-wing and at the tip of the viens (Pillai 1966).
