Abnormal features in specimens of eight Culicoides spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from the eastern Mediterranean area

ABSTRACT Abnormal features were found in eight Culicoides species from the eastern Mediterranean area. All the specimens were from Sinai and the central Negev except for one specimen of Culicoides newsteadi Austen from Maa'le Gamla in the Golan Heights. One female Culicoides arabiensis Boorman had joined antennomeres and one male had broadened paramere tips. Individual females of Culicoides azerbajdjhanicus group had joined antennomeres, reduced or additional numbers of antenomeres, joined palpal segments, a missing sensory pit, and three spermathecae. One Culicoides derisor Callot & Kremer had three spermathecae. One female Culicoides langeroni Kieffer had joined antennomeres and one had three spermathecae. One Culicoides marcleti Callot, Kremer & Basset had three spermathecae. One female Culicoides new steadi had joined antennomeres. In Culicoides pseudolangeroni Kremer, Chaker & Delecolle, specimens had three spermathecae, reduced numbers of antennomeres, joined antennomeres, missing sensilla coeloconi...