Larvae of the genus Notiopsylla (Siphonaptera: Pygiopsyllidae) with a key to their identification

Larvae of the Southern Hemisphere bird flea genus Notiopsylla Jordan & Rothschild are characterized by a combination of a unidentate mandible, long dorsal trunk setae, a profusion of ventral trunk setae, and a lack of differentiation of the anal circlet into distinct anal comb and series of ventro-lateral setae. The 3rd instar of N. corynetes Smit is described in detail. Descriptions of the 1st and 2nd instars, and the 3 instars of the 3 other species are briefly described by comparison. A key to separate the 4 species is presented; separation of the 2 subspecies of each of N. kerguelensis (Taschenberg) and of N. enciari Smit is based on geographical and host association criteria. The species N. corynetes, N. kerguelensis, N. enciari, and N. peregrinus Smit represent successively derived stages in the evolution of the larvae of Notiopsylla as evidenced by increasing numbers of ventral trunk setae, and by increasing complexity of the antennal shaft sense organ and of the arrangement of the antennal mound papillae. Multiple infestations of some host species by several taxa of Notiopsylla are attributable to the isolation of the birds' breeding colonies on separate islands. A new locality record for N. e. enciari Smit, and a new host record for N. k. tenuata Smit, are given. Distribution data are given for associated material of Parapsyllus Enderlein, and a key is provided to separate the larvae of the 2 genera.