Wyeomyia is a genus of mosquitoes first described in 1901 by Frederick Vincent Theobald.[2] The genus's 140 species can be difficult to characterize because of their diversity and the need for additional taxonomic work to further delineate them.[2] Adults resemble genus Limatus and Sabethes mosquitoes more closely than other genera in the New World tribe Sabethini,[2] but differ by their scutal scales ranging in color from a relatively dull bronzy with a slight metallic sheen in most species, to a metallic gold.[2] There are other distinguishing characters as well.[2][1][3]

Wyeomyia
W. smithii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Culicidae
Subfamily: Culicinae
Tribe: Sabethini
Genus: Wyeomyia
F. V. Theobald, 1901
Type species
Wyeomyia grayii

Distribution

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Wyeomyia mosquitoes are predominantly neotropical, ranging across the Caribbean into Florida, with one species occurring in eastern North America.[1][2][3]

Ecology

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Most Wyeomyia mosquitoes are forest-inhabiting, preferring damp environments.[1] Larvae develop in small collections of water in bromeliads and aroids, flower bracts, broken bamboo and bamboo stumps, tree holes, pitcher plants, and sometimes man-made containers.[1] They feed on organic matter in the water, including decomposing carcasses of insects and spiders.[3] Some species obtain oxygen directly from the water, rarely, if ever, surfacing.[3]

Adults are active during the day, usually near larval habitats.[1] Some species are found at characteristic elevations in the forest canopy, with others appearing to be restricted to ground level.[1]

Most Wyeomyia species will take blood meals, and females readily feed on humans who enter their habitat.[1] Although Ilhéus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis and Maguari viruses have been isolated from Wyeomyia mosquitoes, they are not known to transmit a disease agent to humans.[1]

Species

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The following species and subgenera are recognised:[1]

Subgenus (Wyeomyia)

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Subgenus (Antunesmyia)

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Subgenus (Caenomyiella)

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Subgenus (Cruzmyia)

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Here is the list with the Wikipedia syntax added:

Subgenus (Decamyia)

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Here is the list with the Wikipedia syntax added:

Subgenus (Dendromyia)

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Subgenus (Dodecamyia)

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Subgenus (Exallomyia)

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Subgenus (Hystatomyia)

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Subgenus (Menolepis)

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Subgenus (Miamyia)

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Subgenus (Nunezia)

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Subgenus (Phoniomyia)

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Subgenus (Prosopolepis)

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Subgenus (Spilonympha)

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Subgenus (Triamyia)

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Subgenus (Zinzala)

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit: "Culicidae » Culicinae » Sabethini » Wyeomyia" in Systematic Catalog of Culicidae, http://www.wrbu.org/mqID/mq_gnra/wyeomyia.htm, accessed August 5, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Mosquito Taxonomic Inventory: Wyeomyia Theobald, 1901, http://mosquito-taxonomic-inventory.info/simpletaxonomy/term/6251, accessed August 5, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d Robin McLeod with additional contributions by V. Belov: Genus Wyeomyia, Bugguide, http://bugguide.net/node/view/38485, last updated 11 October 2011, last accessed August 5, 2017.