Synopsis 135

Introduction 136

Material and Methods 138

Acknowledgements 139

Checklist to the Simuliidae of Belize 139

Keys to Simuliidae species of Belize – females, males, pupae 139

Species descriptions, distribution and biology:

Simulium (Hemicnetha) earlei Vargas, Martínez Palacios & Díaz Nájera 141

Simulium (Hemicnetha) mexicanum Bellardi 144

Simulium (Hemicnetha) pulverulentum Knab 146

Simulium (Hemicnetha) virgatum Coquillett (complex) 148

Simulium (Notolepria) gonzalezi Vargas & Díaz Nájera 153

Simulium (Psaroniocompsa) ganalesense Vargas, Martínez Palacios & Díaz Nájera 155

Simulium (Psilopelmia) callidum Dyar & Shannon 158

Simulium (Psilopelmia) haematopotum Malloch 160

Simulium (Psilopelmia) ochraceum Walker (complex) 164

Simulium (Psilopelmia) quadrivittatum Loew 167

Simulium (Psilopelmia) samboni Jennings 169

Simulium (Simulium) metallicum Bellardi (complex) 171

Conclusions 176

References 177

Maps, colour plates and figures 181

Tables 244

Material Examined 247

Index 271

With the increasing migration of people from Guatemala (where foci of human onchocerciasis exist) to Belize the probability of further introductions of individuals infected with this disease has increased. The present paper provides a comprehensive biosystematic revision of the Simuliidae of Belize, a prerequisite to any future surveys on simuliids if onchocerciasis becomes a public health problem. A key to the adults and pupae of the twelve species collected is provided together with full morphological descriptions of these species, discussions on their taxonomy, and summaries of their distribution and biology. Six new synonyms, a neotype and one lectotype are created. The distribution of Simuliidae in Belize in relation to physical factors is reviewed.