The taxonomic complex, Culicoides variipennis

The morphological and biological characteristics of the 5 subspecies of Culicoides variipennis as proposed by Wirth and Jones are reviewed in the light of research performed since 1957. Proposals have been made to recognize the eastern and western populations as distinct species; others prefer to consider the population as 1 species with extensive and complex variation resulting from the interplay of ecological and genetic factors. The authors recommend the use of the term "variipennis complex" rather than a haphazard selection of 1 of the 5 names in reporting the results of research on this insect, until such time as the necessary biosystematic studies have been made to determine the genetic nature of the population structure over the entire geographic range of the species. If it is considered desirable to recognize the western form as a distinct entity, reasons are given for preference to the name sonorensis rather than occidentalis. The use of gas chromatography to study population differences in the makeup of cuticular paraffins is suggested as a promising new biochemical approach to the study of the genetic and physiological differences between populations of variipennis.