Comparative study of mouthparts of ten species of predaceous midges of the tribe Ceratopogonini (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

Mouthparts of 10 species representing Ceratopogon, Brachypogon, Echinohelea, Alluaudomyia, Stilobezzia, Manohelea , and Downeshelea of the tribe Ceratopogonini were examined by light and scanning electron microscopy. Greatest differences among species occurred in the sclerotized mandibles of females, where the mean number of coarse medial teeth ranged from 6.9 to 14.6, small basal teeth from 0.0 to 2.8, lateral teeth from 0.0 to 6.2, and length of the tooth row in relation to length of the mandible from 16 to 25%. Mandible structure is species specific. Mandibles have an interlocking mechanism midway along the blade that functions as a fulcrum; abduction of their bases causes divergence and retraction of their tips and results in a sawing action by which an incision is opened in the prey. Mandibles of males are reduced in size and are either smooth or have a few spicules at their tip.