Biting midges of the genus Dasyhelea Kieffer (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Poland

Abstract

Abstract . This article reviews 30 species of biting midges of the genus Dasyhelea that are known to occur in Poland. Diagnoses and detailed descriptions of adults are provided for all Polish species, as well as keys (based mainly on males) for the identification of subgenera and their included species. Dasyhelea excellentis BORKENT, 1997 is recognized as a new junior synonym of Dasyhelea bifida ZILAHI-SEBESS, 1936 ( syn. n. ) and Dasyhelea lugensis BRODSKAYA, 1995 as a new junior synonym of Dasyhelea caesia REMM, 1993 ( syn. n. ). Among the Polish biting midge fauna, most species of the genus Dasyhelea are primarily arboreal, widely distributed Palaearctic species. The most species-rich samples were collected in the following regions: Eastern Baltic Lakelands (19 spp.), Southern Baltic Lakelands (16 spp.), Southern Baltic Coastlands (14 spp.) and Central Western Carpathians (12 spp.). The larvae were found in sap and tree holes, water accumulated in gutters and sinks, moist soil near fresh- and saltwater bodies, and peat bogs. Adults are known to visit flowers for nectar, and 16 Polish species were found on umbelliferous flowers.