Use of the palpal ratio and the number of pale bands on the palps in separating Anopheles gambiae Giles s. s. and Anopheles melas Theobald (Diptera: Culicidae).

Type

Article

Date of Publication

1980

Original Publication

Mosquito Systematics

Volume

12

Series / Issue

Issue: 2

Pages

155-163

Contributed by

American Mosquito Control Association

Notes

Author(s) - Bryan, J. H.

 

Abstract

In a study in The Gambia, West Africa, it was found that 96.2% of Anopheles melas Theobald and 91.59% of An. gambiae s. s. occurring sympatrically and in the absence of the other sibling species of the An. gambiae complex could be correctly identified using the palpal ratios. All ratios of 0.81 and above were ascribed to An. melas and all below to An. gambiae s. s. Up to 42% of An. melas had 4 pale palpal bands whereas all An. gambiae scored were 3-banded.

Notes

Author(s) - Bryan, J. H.