Redescription of Cricotopus lebetis (Diptera: Chironomidae), a potential biocontrol agent of the aquatic weed hydrilla (Hydrocharitaceae)

The adult male and female of Cricotopus lebetis Sublette are redescribed and the pupa and larva described for the first time. Larvae of C. lebetis mine in the stems of the submersed aquatic weed hydrilla, Hydrilla verticillata (L.f. Royle), causing sufficient damage to the apical meristem to preclud...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Florida entomologist 2000-06, Vol.83 (2), p.171-180
Main Authors: Epler, J.H, Cuda, J.P, Center, T.D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abdomen
Adult insects
anatomy and morphology
aquatic weeds
biological control
biological control agents
Biological taxonomies
Chironomidae
Cricotopus
Cricotopus lebetis
Entomology
Female animals
Hydrilla verticillata
Insect larvae
Male animals
Pupae
Redescriptions
taxonomy
Thorax
weed control
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Summary:The adult male and female of Cricotopus lebetis Sublette are redescribed and the pupa and larva described for the first time. Larvae of C. lebetis mine in the stems of the submersed aquatic weed hydrilla, Hydrilla verticillata (L.f. Royle), causing sufficient damage to the apical meristem to preclude further growth. The species is very similar to C. tricinctus (Meigen) but can be distinguished from that species in the adult male by the broader, more rounded inferior volsella; in the female by the lower number of sensilla chaetica on the mid and hind basitarsi; in the pupa by the fusiform thoracic horn; and in the larva by the simple S I and long setal tufts on abdominal segments I-VII. /// Se redescriben el adulto macho y hembra de Cricotopus lebetis Sublette y se describen por primera vez la larva y pupa de esta especie. Las larvas de C. lebetis minan los tallos de la hierba acuática sumergida Hydrilla verticillata (L.f. Royle), causando suficiente daño al meristemo apical como para impedir su crecimiento. C. lebetis es muy similar a C. tricinctus (Meigen), pero se distingue de esta especie en que el macho adulto posee una volsella inferior más redondeada y ancha, mientras que la hembra posee menos sénsulos tipo chaetica en los basitarsi medio e inferior. Asmísmo, la pupa de C. lebetis presenta un cuerno torácico fusiforme y la larva tiene un S I simple y largos pinceles de cerdas en los segmentos abdominales I-VII.
ISSN:0015-4040
1938-5102
DOI:10.2307/3496152