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The Type of Phlebotomus mascittii Grassi (Diptera, Psychodidae)
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 July 2009
Extract
Examination of Newstead's specimen has confirmed the substantial accuracy of his description and drawings, with the exception of the genital pump. The form of the aedeagus alone leaves no possibility of confusion with P. perniciosus, of which there has been available an adequate series of Italian specimens for comparison. The view of Adler and associates that the sixth spines are aberrant is thoroughly reasonable. P. mascittii is therefore an easily recognizable species, as to the male, from existing descriptions and drawings, and represented by the sole known cotype in the British Museum, which is hereby designated the lectotype.
The question of the distinguishing characters of the female is bound up with the whole matter of the identity of P. mascittii and P. larroussei. The evidence already published, involving both males and females, certainly constitutes a strong case for the identity of these two species. There may be cited: (a) the character of the wing venation which seems to be constant in both sexes; (b) the general agreement as to the male genitalia; (c) the fact that one of Saccà's specimens was caught within a few hundred metres of the type locality and the others in the same city. In the absence of any contrary evidence there is no reason to doubt the soundness of the view shared by Saccà and Parrot that these two species are identical.
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