Culicoides Latreille 1809
Creators: name: Huerta, Herón
name: Spinelli, Gustavo R.
name: Grogan Jr, William L.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2025
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Diptera
Ceratopogonidae
Culicoides

description: Key to the adults Culicoides from Mexico
(Primarily for females)
1. Wing with conspicuous pattern of pale spots (Figs. 1–64, 67–88, 91–92).......................................... 2
- Wing without conspicuous pattern of pale spots (Figs. 65–66, 89–90)........................................... 91
2(1). Second radial cell completely or mostly included in a pale spot (Figs. 4–6, 11–15, 46–55)............................ 3
- Second radial cell completely included in a dark spot (Figs. 1–3, 7, 9–10, 16–45, 56–92) (except in pusilloides, the distal middle half of the second radial cell is included in a pale spot, as in Fig. 8)............................................. 21
3(2) Pale spot of second radial cell is very extensive in vein M 1, usually continued to cell m 1; apices of veins M 1 and M 2 usually included in a dark area (Figs. 4–6; 11–15).................................................................. 4
- Pale spot of second radial cell is not extensive in vein M 1 (in Mexican species); apices of veins M 1 and M 2 usually included in a pale area (Figs. 46–55)..........................(subgenus Hoffmania)................................... 11
4(3) Base of vein CuA 1 and CuA 2 in a pale area; wing markings in dark crooked bands becoming more or less interrupted by the more extensive pale markings (in pseudodecor wide pale areas); cell M 1 with a wide, rounded distal pale spot broadly meeting anterior wing margin (Figs. 4–6)..........................(Subgenus Anilomyia).............................. 5
- Base of vein CuA 1 and CuA 2 in a dark area; wing usually not marked in dark straight bands; cell M 1 without a wide, rounded distal pale spot broadly meeting anterior wing margin...........(Subgenus Culicoides) (Figs. 11–15; 106–108)........ 7
5(4) Antennal flagellum coeloconic sensillar pattern 1–13; wing markings in dark crooked bands (Figs. 4–5)................ 6
- Antennal coeloconic sensillar pattern 1, (6), (8), 9–13; wing with pattern interrupted with wide pale areas (Fig. 6)..................................................................................... pseudodecor Spinelli & Huerta
6(5). Palpal ratio 1.7–2.1; hind femur with basal and subapical pale bands; dark spot on the radial cells continuous to the base of vein M 1 (Fig. 5).................................................................... nigrigenus Wirth & Blanton
- Palpal ratio 2.4–2.5; hind femur with subapical pale band; dark spot on the radial cells discontinuos to the base of vein M 1 (Fig. 4)......................................................................................... hayesi Matta
7(4). Cell cua 1 with small dark spot in middle portion (Fig. 14)....................................... neopulicaris Wirth
- Cell cua 1 without small dark spot in the middle section (Fig. 11)................................................ 8
8(7). Cell r 3 with distal pale spot broadly meeting wing margin (Fig. 11); male genitalia as in Fig. 108 ............ elutus Macfie
- Cell r 3 with distal pale spot not meeting wing margin (Fig. 13).................................................. 9
9(8). Antennal coeloconic sensillar pattern 1–13; vein CuA 1 included in a pale spot in the middle of the vein (Fig. 12)........................................................................................ fortinensis Spinelli & Huerta
- Antennal coeloconic sensillar pattern 1, 9–13; vein CuA 1 not included in a pale spot in the middle of the vein (Fig. 13, 15)... .................................................................................................. 10
10(9). Third palpal segment elongated, palpal ratio 3.3–3.7; cell anal with basal pale spot broadly meeting wing margin (Fig. 15).................................................................................... rulfoi Spinelli & Huerta
- Third palpal segment short, palpal ratio 2.3–2.6; cell anal with basal pale spot not broadly meeting wing margin (Fig. 13)................................................................................ luteovenus Root & Hoffman
11(3) Cell r 3 with a separate pale spot present anterior to base of vein M 1, base of cell cua 1 dark where it borders veins CuA 1 and CuA 2 (subgenus Hoffmania, Hylas group) (Figs. 50, 53, 55, 109–114)............................................... 12
- Cell r 3 without a separate pale spot present anterior to base of vein M 1, pale area continuous from r-m crossvein to borders of vein M 1, base of cell cua 1 pale where it borders veins CuA 1 and CuA 2 (subgenus Hoffmania, Guttatus group) (Figs. 46–49; 51–52, 54).......................................................................................... 14
12(11). Hind femur with subapical pale band; distal pale spot of anal cell without reaching the wing margin (Fig. 55).................................................................................................. verecundus Macfie
- Hind femur without subapical pale band, dark to apex; distal pale spot of anal cell broadly meeting wing margin......... 13
13(12). Third palpal segment with irregular sensory pit (Fig. 109); mid femur with subapical pale band (Fig. 112), mid knee dark; female wing length 1.0‒1.2 mm; veins CuA 1 and CuA 2 with distal pale spot (Fig. 50); male genitalia as in Fig. 114 ................................................................................................... hylas Macfie
- Third palpal segment without irregular sensory pit, scattered sensilla on surface (Fig. 110); mid femur with apical pale band, mid knees pale; female wing length 1.3‒1.5 mm; veins CuA 1 and CuA 2 with distal dark spot (Fig. 53)....... palpalis Macfie
14(11) Crossvein r–m mainly pale or slightly pale brown (some specimens faintly darkened) (Figs. 46, 52)................... 15
- Crossvein r–m dark solid spot on anterior half (Figs. 48, 49, 51, 54)............................................ 17
15(14) Halter knob pale; distal pale spot of anal cell usually very close to the wing margin (Fig. 46); aedeagus with low basal arch (0.15≤).............................................................................. diabolicus Hoffman
- Halter knob dark; distal pale spot of anal cell broadly meeting wing margin (Fig. 47, 52); aedeagus with higher basal arch (0.17≥)............................................................................................ 16
16(15) Cell r 3 with contrasting pattern darker between postsigmatic pale spot and pale distal spot (Fig. 52); tergite 9 with apicolateral processes closed together................................................................. ocumarensis Ortiz
- Cell r 3 usually without contrasting pattern darker between postsigmatic pale spot and pale distal spot (Fig. 47); tergite 9 with apicolateral processes widely spaced....................................................... filariferus Hoffman
17(14) Cell m 1 with one distal pale spot (Fig. 51); vein R 3 dark up to the point where it turns abruptly forward to meet the costa............................................................................................. insignis Lutz
- Cell m 1 with two distal pale spots (Fig. 48) (distal spot faint in some specimens); vein R 3 pale o slightly pale brown not up to the point where it turns abruptly forward to meet the costa.................................................... 18
18(17) Vein R 3 with small blackish spot posterior to apex (Fig. 48)............................................. foxi Ortiz
- Vein R 3 without small blackish spot posterior to apex........................................................ 19
19(18) Eyes broadly contiguous by a distance equal to diameter of 4‒5 ommatidial facets; third palpal segment usually shorter than combined length of segments 4 and 5; second radial cell wide (Fig. 49)............................. franklini Spinelli
- Eyes contiguous by a distance equal to diameter of 2‒3 ommatidial facets; third palpal segment similar to combined length of segments 4 and 5; second radial cell narrow (Fig. 46, 54)..................................................... 20
20(19) Crossvein r-m dark solid spot on anterior half; cell anal with distal pale spots widely confluent (Fig. 54); male aedeagus without terminal papilla...................................................................... pseudodiabolicus Fox
- Crossvein r-m pale (faintly darkened in some specimens); cell anal with distal pale spots not widely confluent (Fig. 46); male aedeagus with terminal papilla..................................................... diabolicus Hoffman (in part)
21(2) Small species, female wing length 0.90 ≤mm; second radial cell slightly shorter than first radial cell (Fig. 7‒9); tergite 9 with apicolateral processes flattened flanges (subgenus Avaritia)................................................... 22
- Large species, female wing length 1.00>mm; second radial cell usually longer than first radial cell or of similar length (Fig. 10); tergite 9 usually with apicolateral processes finger‒shaped................................................ 24
22(21). Second radial cell in distal pale spot (Fig. 8).......................................... pusilloides Wirth & Blanton
- Second radial cell in distal dark spot (Figs. 7, 9)............................................................ 23
23(22). Antennal coeloconic sensilla pattern 1, 11‒13; palpal ratio 2.6; wing with blackish stigmal spot covering apex of second radial cell including vein R 3 (Fig. 9)................................................................. pusillus Lutz
- Antennal coeloconic sensillar pattern 1, 10‒13; palpal ratio 1.7; wing with blackish stigmal spot not extending to tip of second radial cell (Fig. 7).................................................................... boydi Wirth & Mullens
24(21). Hind tibial comb with four spines; wing without contrasting pattern of dark and pale spots (Fig. 88); macrotrichia absent or scarce only on distal wing margin; second cell r 2 longer than first radial cell (Stigmalis group)............. stigmalis Wirth
- Hind tibial comb usually with four, five or six spines; wing with contrasting pattern of dark and pale spots (i.e. Figs. 16‒21); macrotrichia of wing abundant; second cell r 2 similar in length to first radial cell.................................. 25
25(24). Fore femur with middle pale area (Fig. 116); one spermatheca C or U shaped (Fig. 117) (subgenus Monoculicoides, Culicoides variipennis complex, Figs. 115–118)..................................................................... 26
-. Fore femur without middle pale area; one to three spermathecae of different shapes (oval, rounded, elongated or different to anterior)........................................................................................... 30
26(25). Female............................................................................................ 27 Male .............................................................................................. 28
27(26). Third palpal segment swollen to great swollen (Fig. 115), 1.8–3.0 times longer that broad; sensory pit rounded or irregular shaped, medium to large sized; wing membrane lightly infused with light or dark gray maculations (Fig. 59–60).................................................................. occidentalis Wirth & Jones or sonorensis Wirth & Jones
-. Third palpal segment slender to slightly swollen, 2.5–3.8 times longer that broad; sensory pit rounded, slightly enlarged; wing membrane heavily infused with black or dark gray maculations (Fig. 61)....................... variipennis (Coquillett)
28(26). Ventral membrane of aedeagus with numerous spicules................................... sonorensis Wirth & Jones Ventral membrane of aedeagus without numerous spicules or with a few at the tip of aedeagus....................... 29
29(28). Ventral membrane of aedeagus with few spicules at the tip of aedeagus......................... variipennis (Coquillett) Ventral membrane of aedeagus without spicules........................................ occidentalis Wirth & Jones
30(25). Wing without pale spot straddling vein M 2 (Figs. 41–45; 58, 67, 72–80, 83–87, 91); veins M 1 and M 2 usually dark to apex... .................................................................................................. 31
- Wing with a pale spot straddling the middle of vein M 2 (i.e. Figs. 1–3; 16–40) in some species included in widely pale area (Figs. 29, 62–64) or lying just in front of this vein, as in Figure 32 (if so, it is the case, the female palpus with a greatly swollen third segment and bearing a deep sensory pit); veins M 1 and M 2 usually pale to apex............................... 52
31(30). Third palpal segment without sensory pit, sensillae scattered on surface of segment; r-m crossvein with dark spot (Fig. 67)..........................(Acotylus group)..................................................... acotylus Lutz
- Third palpal segment with sensory pit (Fig. 93); r-m crossvein pale or brown..................................... 32
32(31). Second radial cell with small posterior black round spot posteriorly (Figs. 58, 87)................................. 33
- Second radial cell without small posterior black round spot posteriorly (i.e. Figs. 41–45)............................ 34
33(32). Cell m
1 with three pale spots (Fig. 87); apex of cell r
3 with a small rounded pale spot (Reticulatus group)........ lanei Ortiz
- Cell m 1 with two pale spots (Fig. 58); apex of cell r 3 with a large hourglass-shaped pale spot (subgenus Mataemyia)...................................................................................... dicrourus Wirth & Blanton
34(32). Cell r 3 with long ovoid distal pale spot (Fig. 91); wing length 1.60> mm (unplaced to species group)............................................................................................... albomaculus Root & Hoffman
- Cell r 3 without long ovoid distal pale spot (irregular, subcuadrate or rounded) (i.e. Figs. 83–86); wing length 1.45<mm... 35
35(34). Fore femur without subapical or apical pale band; macrotrichia long and moderately numerous, extending proximad nearly to base of anal cell (i. e. Fig. 85, 86) (Mohave group).......................................................... 36
- Fore femur with subapical or apical pale band; macrotrichia usually less abundant and generally towards the distal middle part of the wing......................................................................................... 39
36(35). Cell m 1 with distal pale spot separated from wing margin (Fig. 86); postsigmatic pale spot narrow................................................................................................... woodruffi Spinelli & Huerta
- Cell m
1 with distal pale spot close to wing margin (Figs. 83–85); postsigmatic pale spot broad....................... 37
37(36). Eyes broadly separated; palpal ratio 2.5; third segment slightly swollen with a round sensory pit; cell m 1 with basal pale spot small, not extensive (Fig. 84).......................................................... hoguei Wirth & Moraes
- Eyes narrowly separated; palpal ratio 2.0–2.1; third segment swollen with a broad sensory pit; cell m 1 with basal pale spot long, extensive (Fig. 83, 85)................................................................................ 38
38(37). Proboscis short, P/H ratio 0.67; cell r 3 with distal spot usually not broadly meeting anterior wing margin (Fig. 85).................................................................................................. mohave Wirth
- Proboscis long, P/H ratio 0.81; cell r 3 with distal spot broadly meeting anterior wing margin (Fig. 83)................................................................................................... bajensis Wirth & Moraes
39(35). Anal cell with two distal pale spots (sometimes fused or very closed) (Figs. 70–74)................................ 40
- Anal cell with one distal pale spot (sometimes with extensive base, as in Figs. 44, 79) (Figs. 41–45, 77–80)............. 44
40(39). Antennal coeloconic sensillar pattern 1, 5‒8 or 1, 6‒9 (Fluvialis group)......................................... 41
- Antennal coeloconic sensillar pattern 1, 6‒12 (Eublepharus group)............................................. 42
41(40). Cell r 3 with four pale spots, the distal pale spot broadly meeting wing margin and bearing a narrow proximal extension (Fig. 76)...................................................................................... leopoldoi Ortiz
- Cell r
3 with three pale spots, the distal pale spot not meeting wing margin (Fig. 75)........................ castillae Fox
42(40). Cell r
3 with small, rounded pale spots separated and situated below the second radial cell (Figs. 72‒73)............... 43
- Cell r 3 without small, rounded pale spots separated and situated below the second radial cell...................................... (Fig. 74)................................................................. rangeli Ortiz & Mirsa
43(42). Apex of M 1 with a pale spot at wing margin; cell M 1 with three pale spots, the distal one sometimes faint (Fig. 73)........................................................................................... propriipennis Macfie
- Apex of M 1 without a pale spot at wing margin; cell M 1 with two pale spots (Fig. 72)................ eublepharus Macfie
44(39). Cell r 3 with postsigmatic pale spot not subrentangular, usually confluents, not extending into M 1 vein (Figs. 41‒45) (subgenus Haematomyidium)................................................................................... 45
- Cell r 3 with postsigmatic pale spot subrectangular (in Mexican species), extending into M 1 vein (Figs. 77‒80) (Leoni group). .................................................................................................. 49
45(44). Antennal coeloconic sensillar pattern 1, 4‒8; hind tibial comb with five spines; cell r 3 with distal pale spot broadly meeting wing margin (Fig. 44)............................................................. kettlei Breidenbaugh & Mullens
- Antennal coeloconic sensillar pattern 1, 5‒8 or 6‒8; hind tibial comb with four spines; cell r 3 without distal pale spot broadly meeting wing margin (Figs. 41‒43, 45)................................................................... 46
46(45). Cell m 1 with three pale spots (Fig. 45); cell r 3 with fourth pale spot................................ paraensis (Goeldi)
- Cell m
1 with two pale spots (Figs. 41‒43); cell r
3 with three pale spot........................................... 47
47(46). Hind femur with basal and subapical pale bands; cell r 3 with three small rounded equidistant pale spots (Fig. 43)..................................................................................................... ginesi Ortiz
- Hind femur without basal and subapical pale bands; cell r
3 without three small rounded equidistant pale spots........... 48
48(47). Pale spot lying immediately in front of mediocubital fork (Fig. 42)............................. eadsi Wirth & Blanton
- Dark spot lying immediately in front of mediocubital fork (Fig. 41)................................ debilipalpis Lutz
49(44). Cell m
1 with one pale spot (Fig. 79)............................................................. leoni Barbosa
- Cell m 1 with two pale spots (Figs. 77‒78, 80).............................................................. 50
50(49). Flagellomeres 9‒10 distinctly shorter than 8 or 11; pale spot widely extended along the cell anal (Fig. 80)..... reevesi Wirth
- Flagellomeres 9‒10 similar in size to 8 or 11; pale spot not extended along the cell anal (Fig. 77, 78).................. 51
51(50). Palpus pale yellow; hind tibia with apical, broad pale band; base of anal cell with broad pale spot (Fig. 77); two spermathecae....................................................................................... gabaldoni Ortiz
- Palpus brown; hind tibia with apical, narrow pale band; base of anal cell with narrow, faint pale spot (Fig. 78); one spermatheca..................................................................... glabellus Wirth & Blanton
52(30). Head with cibarial armature (subgenus Diphaomyia)........................................................ 53
- Head without cibarial armature......................................................................... 58
53(52). Apex of vein CuA 2 dark............................................................................... 54
- Apex of vein CuA 2 pale............................................................................... 55
54(53). Cell r
3 and m
1 with distal pale spots (Fig. 19)............................................. haematopotus Malloch
- Cell r 3 and m 1 without distal pale spots (Fig. 21).................................................. tzotzil sp. nov.
55(53). Cell r 3 with pale spot adjacent to the base of m 1 (Figs. 17, 20)................................................. 56
- Cell r
3 without pale spot adjacent to the base of m
1
(Figs. 16, 18)............................................... 57
56(55). Third palpal segment with a broad sensory pit; vein CuA 2 almost entirely included in a pale area (Fig. 20)....... iriartei Fox
- Third palpal segment with a narrow sensory pit; only the distal 1/2 of vein CuA 2 included in a pale area (Fig. 17).......................................................................................... blantoni Vargas & Wirth
57(55). Vein M 1 with small pale spot in medial portion in line with the poststigmatic pale spot (Fig. 16)........... baueri Hoffman
- Vein M 1 without small pale spot in medial portion (Fig. 18).................................. evansi Wirth & Blanton
58(52). Cell r
3
with a small black spot posterior to second radial cell (Fig. 92); three spermathecae......... arubae Fox & Hoffman
- Cell r 3 without a small black spot posterior to second radial cell; one or two spermathecae........................... 59
59(58). Third segment palpal without sensory pit; 4 th tarsal segment cordiform; tibial comb with 6‒7 spines (subgenus Macfiella)... .................................................................................................. 60
- Third palpal segment with sensory pit; 4 th tarsal segment cylindrical; tibial comb with 4‒5 spines..................... 61
60(59). Mesonotum with pattern of scattered brown dots; cell r 3 with distal pale spot broadly meeting wing margin (Fig. 57)...................................................................................... willistoni Wirth & Blanton
- Mesonotum without pattern of scattered brown dots; cell r 3 with distal pale spot not broadly meeting wing margin (Fig. 56).................................................................................. phlebotomus (Williston)
61(59). Crossvein r-m entirely dark (included in round, wide pale spot) (Figs. 38‒40) (subgenus Glaphiromyia)............... 62
- Crossvein r-m pale or brown (i.e. Figs. 22‒37)............................................................. 64
62(61). Antennal coeloconic sensillar pattern 1, 2, 4, 6, 8‒13; cell m 1 and m 2 with small, well separated distal pale spots (Fig. 39)................................................................................ parascopus Wirth & Blanton
- Antennal coeloconic sensillar pattern 1, 6, 8‒13 or 1‒3, 5‒13; cell m 1 and m 2 with large, very close distal pale spots (Figs. 38, 40)................................................................................................ 63
63(62). Antennal coeloconic sensillar pattern 1‒3, 5‒13; third palpal segment swollen; cell r 3 and m 1 with distal pale spots confluent (Fig. 38)......................................................................... dampfi Root & Hoffman
- Antennal coeloconic sensillar pattern 1, 6, 8‒13; third palpal segment not swollen; cell r 3 and m 1 with distal pale spots separated (Fig. 40)......................................................................... scopus Root & Hoffman
64(61). Hind tibial comb with five spines; wing membrane with very abundant, long macrotrichia, extending from the base toward the apex (Fig. 3) (subgenus Amossovia)...................................................................... 65
- Hind tibial comb with four spines; wing membrane with less abundant with disperse macrotrichia (if with very abundant microtrichia, then third segment palpal greatly swollen)...................................................... 67
65(64). Pale spot of crossvein r-m extending to costal margin; apex of vein CuA 1 pale at wing margin (Fig. 2)...................................................................................................... oklahomensis Khalaf
- Pale spot of crossvein r-m not extending to costal margin; apex of vein CuA
1 faint pale at wing margin (Figs. 1, 3)....... 66
66(65). Eyes broadly separated; antennal coeloconic sensillar pattern 1‒13; base of anal cell with faint pale spot (Fig. 3)................................................................................................. ousairani Khalaf
- Eyes narrowly separated; antennal coeloconic sensillar pattern 1‒7, 9‒13; base of anal cell with extensive pale spot (Fig. 1)............................................................................... cochisensis Wirth & Blanton
67(64). Mesonotum with distinctive pattern of punctiform brown dots (subgenus Oecacta)................................ 68
- Mesonotum without distinctive pattern of punctiform brown dots.............................................. 70
68(67). Third palpal segment with small, shallow sensory pit; cell r 3 with small, rounded, separated poststigmatic pale spots (Fig. 64)......................................................................................... furens (Poey)
- Third palpal segment with deep sensory pit; cell r 3 without small, rounded, separated poststigmatic pale spots (Figs. 62‒63).. .................................................................................................. 69
69(68). Antennal coeloconic sensillar pattern 1, 5‒8; halter dark; cell M 1 with distal pale spot extending to wing margin (Fig. 62); spermathecae with short ducts....................................................... barbosai Wirth & Blanton
- Antennal coeloconic sensillar pattern 1, 4‒8; halter pale; cell M 1 with distal pale spot not extending to wing margin (Fig. 63); spermathecae with long ducts........................................................... cancer Hogue & Wirth
70(67). Femur of hind leg mostly pale, with an apical narrow dark ring, tibia darker; cell m 2 with basal spot extended and over vein CuA 1 (Fig. 10); one spermatheca..........................(subgenus Beltranmyia);........... crepuscularis Malloch
- Hind leg with different arrangement; cell m 2 without basal spot extended and over vein CuA 1 (except in loughnani with extensive pale areas as Fig. 29); two or three spermathecae (females of C. propinquus and C. neghmei are unknown, see comments to these species)............................................................................ 71
71(70). Third palpal segment moderately swollen, similar in length to second segment; base of paramere extends vertically towards the basal part of the genitalia.............................................................................. 72
- Third palpal segment greatly swollen, longer than second segment; base of paramere inclined, L-shaped in some species (subgenus Drymosdesmyia)............................................................................ 77
72(71). Cell r 3 with distal pale spot broadly meeting anterior wing margin (Figs. 81‒82); paramere armed with a stout, long spine (Fig. 103) (Limai group)................................................................................... 73
- Cell r 3 without distal pale spot broadly meeting anterior wing margin (Figs. 68‒71); paramere unarmed (Daedalus group).... .................................................................................................. 74
73(72). Hind femur with subapical pale band; wing as in Fig. 81 ..................................... luglani Jones & Wirth
- Hind femur without subapical pale band; wing as in Fig. 82 ........................................ neghmei Vargas
74(72). Cell m
1 with distal pale spot far from wing margin (Figs. 68‒69)............................................... 75
- Cell m 1 with distal pale spot very close to or extending to wing margin (Figs. 70‒71)............................... 76
75(74). Hind femur with subapical pale faint band; cell r 3 with distal pale spot subquadrate (Fig. 69);............. daedalus Macfie
- Hind femur darker, without subapical pale faint band; cell r 3 with distal pale spot crescent‒shaped (Fig. 68)............................................................................................. crescentis Wirth & Blanton
76(74). Anal cell with two well separated distal pale spots (Fig. 71); r-m crossvein with pale spot not extending to costal margin........................................................................................... ostotlae sp. nov.
- Anal cell with two very narrowly separated distal pale spots (Fig. 70); r-m crossvein with pale spot broadly extending to costal margin............................................................................... pampoikilus Macfie
77(71). Apices of veins M
1 and M
2 included in a pale spot (Fig. 28)................................................... 78
- Apices of veins M 1 and M 2 included in a dark spot (Fig. 26)................................................... 85
78(77). Spermathecae sac-like, elongate without sclerotized neck.................................................... 79
- Spermathecae oval or pyriform, not elongate with sclerotized neck............................................. 80
79(78). Wing with extensive pale areas (Fig. 29).................................................... loughnani Edwards
- Wing without extensive pale areas (Fig. 24).............................................. butleri Wirth & Hubert
80(78). Anal cell with one distal pale spot not extending to wing margin (Figs. 25, 36).................................... 81
- Anal cell with two distal pale spots extending to near to wing margin........................................... 82
81(80). Cell M 2 with distal pale spot far from the wing margin; vein CuA 1 usually with pale spot at apex (Fig. 36)................................................................................................ torridus Wirth & Hubert
- Cell M 2 with distal pale spot broadly meeting wing margin; vein CuA 1 with dark spot at apex (Fig. 25).................................................................................................. cacticola Wirth & Hubert
82(80). Spermathecae with short sclerotized necks................................................................ 83
- Spermathecae without sclerotized necks.................................................................. 84
83(82). Cell r 3 with one distal pale spot (Fig. 32).................................................... poikilonotus Macfie
- Cell r
3 with two distal pale spots (Fig. 23)........................................................ bakeri Vargas
84(82). Apical edge of wing margin included in a pale narrow spot (Fig. 35)............................ sitiens Wirth & Hubert
- Apical edge of wing margin included in a dark spot (Fig. 28)................................... jamaicensis Edwards
85(77). Cell r
3 with distal pale spot small, rounded (Fig. 30); spermathecae with a long retort-shaped neck..... panamensis Barbosa
- Cell r 3 with distal pale spot in different shaped; spermathecae with different neck (female of C. propinquus is unknown)... 86
86(85) Anterior area of wing darkly pigmented; distal pale spot of cell M 1 extending to wing margin (Fig. 31)................................................................................................... pilosus Wirth & Blanton
- Anterior area of wing not darkly pigmented; distal pale spot of cell M
1 not extending to wing margin.................. 87
87(86) Cell r 3 with distal pale elongated spot (Fig. 34); spermathecae subspherical, subequal sized;...... ryckmani Wirth & Hubert
- Cell r 3 with distal pale spot not elongated (Fig. 27); spermathecae pyriform, more or less unequal sized (female of C. propinquus is unknown);........................................................................................ 88
88(87) Antennal coeloconic sensillar pattern 1, 9–13; cell m 2 with distal pale spot not extending to wing margin (Fig. 26)........................................................................................ copiosus Root & Hoffman
- Antennal coeloconic sensillar pattern 1‒7, 9‒13 or 1‒3, (4, 5), 9‒13 (or with different pattern); cell m 2 with distal pale spot extending to or near wing margin........................................................................ 89
89(88) Anal cell with two confluent distal pale spots (Fig. 33)......................................... propinquus Macfie
- Anal cell with one distal pale spot (Figs. 22, 27)............................................................ 90
90(89) Antennal coeloconic sensillar pattern 1‒3, (4, 5), 9‒13; poststigmatic pale spot usually connected with the pale spot straddling vein M 1 at basal third forming a continuous pale area (Fig. 22); spermathecae pyriform, very unequal................................................................................................. arizonensis Wirth & Hubert
- Antennal coeloconic sensillar pattern 1‒7, 9‒13; poststigmatic pale spot not connected with the pale spot straddling vein M 1 at basal third (Fig. 27); spermathecae oval to slightly pyriform, slightly unequal................... insolatus Wirth & Hubert
91(1) Three spermathecae digitiform, unsclerotized (subgenus Selfia)................................................ 92
- Two spermathecae ovoid, sclerotized (Stonei group)......................................................... 93
92(91) Antennal coeloconic sensillar pattern 1, 5‒8; femorotibial joints pale; hind tibial comb with a spine nearest the spur and stouter and longer than the other three; wing as Figure 66 ........................................ multipunctatus Malloch
- Antennal coeloconic sensillar pattern 1, 3(4)–8; femorotibial joints dark; hind tibial comb with a spine nearest the spur that is similar than other three; wing as Figure 65 ............................................... hieroglyphicus Malloch
93(91) Antennal coeloconic sensillar pattern 1, 8‒12; third palpal segment without sensory pit, sensillae scattered on surface of segment; legs pale yellowish; wing as in Figure 89 ............................................ melleus (Coquillett)
- Antennal coeloconic sensillar pattern 1, 7‒12; third palpal segment with sensory pit; legs brownish; wing as in Figure 90 .................................................................................... werneri Wirth & Blanton
description: Published as part of Huerta, Herón, Spinelli, Gustavo R. & Grogan Jr, William L., 2025, An atlas of wing photographs and a key to species of the genus Culicoides Latreille from Mexico (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), including new records, new synonymy, two new species and new status of Culicoides neghmei Vargas and C. propinquus Macfie, pp. 1-51 in Zootaxa 5566 (1) on pages 3-8, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5566.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/14612829