A New Species of Culex (Melanoconion) from Southern Brazil (Diptera: Culicidae)

Cdex (Mehnoconion) Zopesi, a new species from Municipio Iguape, Estado SBo Paulo, southern Brazil is recognized. The adult male, the only known stage of this species, is described and its genitalia are illustrated. This material was found to contain specimens of 6 or more MeZanoconion species. These species were identified on the basis of the male genitalia as figured in a review of the subgenus by Rozeboom and Komp (1950) and Lane (1953), and other papers by Duret (1953), Aitken and Galindo (1966), and Galindo (1969). The following species were identified: epanastasis Dyar, uomerifer Komp, misionensis Duret, intrincatus Brethes and educator Dyar and Knab. Included also were 4 additional males that could not be identified with any known member of the subgenus. These specimens are, in general, characteristic of the subgenus MeZanoconion as defined by Belkin, Heinemann and Page (1970). The male genitalia are distinctive in several features. The clasper and the subapical lobe bear some resemblance to species in the subgenus CarroZZia and the lateral plate of the phallosome is not unlike species of the subgenus Anoedioporpa. Our study indicates, however, that it should be recognized as a new species of the subgenus MeZanoconion.