Resumen Introducción. Las poblaciones naturales de Anopheles darlingi, principal transmisor de la malaria en Colombia, han mostrado plasticidad fenotípica en algunos de sus caracteres diagnósticos. Objetivo. Caracterizar las variaciones morfométricas de los patrones alares y de la pata posterior en poblaciones naturales de An. darlingi recolectados en localidades colombianas donde la malaria es endémica. Materiales y métodos. Se analizaron los patrones de manchas de la vena costal del ala de hembras silvestres recolectadas en los departamentos de Chocó, Guaviare, Meta y Vichada mediante morfometría lineal y geométrica. El segundo tarsómero posterior de las hembras se analizó mediante morfometría lineal. Resultados. Se encontraron 19 patrones de manchas de la vena costal. Los patrones I, con 49 % (n=118/240) y VI, con 28 % (n=66), fueron los más frecuentes. La proporción del área oscura basal (DS-III2 ) y del tarsómero posterior (Ta-III2 ) constituyó una característica sólida de diagnóstico, pues representó el 89 % (n=213/240) del total de especímenes analizados. Se encontraron diferencias significativas en la forma (F=1,65; gl=50; p<0,001) y el tamaño (F=3,37; gl=5; p=0,005) del ala entre las poblaciones de diferentes localidades. El centroide de menor tamaño (2,64 mm) se encontró en las poblaciones de Chocó. Conclusiones. Se registraron 11 patrones nuevos para las manchas de la vena costal y se confirmó la dominancia de los patrones alares I y VI en las poblaciones de An. darlingi de Colombia, así como la relación de DS-III2 y Ta-III2 como un rasgo sólido de diagnóstico para la taxonomía de la especie. Se encontraron diferencias en el tamaño corporal de las poblaciones evaluadas, lo cual reviste importancia para el análisis de aspectos bionómicos de la especie.

Abstract Introduction: Natural populations of Anopheles darlingi, the main malaria vector in Colombia, have shown phenotypic variations in some of their diagnostic characters. Objective: To characterize morphometric variations in wing spot patterns and diagnostic characters of the hind leg of adult females of An. darlingi collected in areas where malaria is endemic. Materials and methods: Patterns of the costal vein spots of wild females of An. darling populations collected in the departments of Chocó, Guaviare, Meta and Vichada were analyzed using linear and morphometric approaches. The second tarsomere of the hind leg of females was characterized by linear morphometric analysis. Results: We found 19 patterns of spots in the costal vein; patterns I (n=118/240, 49%) and VI (n=66, 28%) were the most frequent. The proportion of the basal dark area of hind tarsomere II and the length of hind tarsomere II (DSIII2 /Ta-III2) constituted a robust diagnostic character as it represented 89% (n=213/240) of the total specimens studied. Significant differences were found in the wing shape (F=1.65, df =50, p<0.001) and the wing size (F=3.37, df=5, p=0.005) among populations from different locations. The smallest centroid size (2.64 mm) was found in populations from Chocó. Conclusions. We registered 11 new wing spot patterns in the costal vein and the dominance of the patterns I and VI for populations of An. darlingi from Colombia. We confirmed DSIII2/TaIII2 ratio as a robust diagnostic character for the taxonomy of this species. We found differences between the size and shape of the wings of An. darlingi populations in accordance to their geographical distribution, which constitute important bionomic aspects for this malaria vector.

Abstract: Anopheles calderoni, a species recorded in Colombia and Ecuador in 2010, is considered a malaria vector in Peru and a potential vector in the Colombian Pacific Coast. Given the recent report of A. calderoni, little is known on its morphological and genetic variability in the Colombian territory. As a first approach, this study evaluated wing morphometric variation on A. calderoni of 2 localities from western Colombia, Guadalajara de Buga and San Andrés de Tumaco. Eight morphometric characters of the wing were measured for 76 females (Buga n = 36, Tumaco n = 40) that were compared using univariate and multivariate analyzes. Pairwise comparison of wing character measures between the 2 populations showed statistically significant differences (p < .05). Discriminant analysis based on these characters, assigned with low accuracy (< 60%) each specimen to its original geographical population. Wing size differences between these A. calderoni populations may be due to micro-environmental characteristics of each locality rather than to genetic differences. The knowledge on A. calderoni population structure is relevant for the design of targeted vector control strategies.

Resumen: Anopheles calderoni, una especie registrada para Colombia y Ecuador en el 2010, es considerada un vector de malaria en Perú y un vector potencial en la costa pacífica colombiana. Dado el reciente registro de A. calderoni, poco se conoce acerca de su variabilidad morfológica y genética en el territorio colombiano. Como una primera aproximación, en este estudio se evaluó la variabilidad morfométrica alar de A. calderoni de 2 localidades del occidente colombiano, Guadalajara de Buga y San Andrés de Tumaco. Se midieron 8 variables morfométricas del ala de 76 hembras (Buga n = 36, Tumaco n = 40) y se compararon mediante análisis univariado y multivariado. La comparación pareada de las medidas de los caracteres del ala entre las 2 poblaciones reveló diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p < 0.05). El análisis discriminante, con base en estos caracteres, asignó con una baja precisión (< 60%) los especímenes a su población geográfica original. Las diferencias en el tamaño alar entre las poblaciones de A. calderoni pueden deberse a características microambientales de cada localidad más que a diferencias genéticas. El conocimiento de la estructura poblacional de A. calderoni es relevante para el diseño de estrategias de control vectorial dirigidas.

Since 1984, Anopheles (Kerteszia) lepidotus has been considered a mosquito species that is involved in the transmission of malaria in Colombia, after having been incriminated as such with epidemiological evidence from a malaria outbreak in Cunday-Villarrica, Tolima. Subsequent morphological analyses of females captured in the same place and at the time of the outbreak showed that the species responsible for the transmission was not An. lepidotus, but rather Anopheles pholidotus. However, the associated morphological stages and DNA sequences of An. pholidotus from the foci of Cunday-Villarrica had not been analysed. Using samples that were caught recently from the outbreak region, the purpose of this study was to provide updated and additional information by analysing the morphology of female mosquitoes, the genitalia of male mosquitoes and fourth instar larvae of An. pholidotus, which was confirmed with DNA sequences of cytochrome oxidase I and rDNA internal transcribed spacer. A total of 1,596 adult females were collected in addition to 37 larval collections in bromeliads. Furthermore, 141 adult females, which were captured from the same area in the years 1981-1982, were analysed morphologically. Ninety-five DNA sequences were analysed for this study. Morphological and molecular analyses showed that the species present in this region corresponds to An. pholidotus. Given the absence of An. lepidotus, even in recent years, we consider that the species of mosquitoes that was previously incriminated as the malaria vector during the outbreak was indeed An. pholidotus, thus ending the controversy.

Here we present a comprehensive review of the literature on the vectorial importance of the major Anopheles malaria vectors in Colombia. We provide basic information on the geographical distribution, altitudinal range, immature habitats, adult behaviour, feeding preferences and anthropophily, endophily and infectivity rates. We additionally review information on the life cycle, longevity and population fluctuation of Colombian Anopheles species. Emphasis was placed on the primary vectors that have been epidemiologically incriminated in malaria transmission: Anopheles darlingi, Anopheles albimanus and Anopheles nuneztovari. The role of a selection of local, regional or secondary vectors (e.g., Anopheles pseudopunctipennis and Anopheles neivai) is also discussed. We highlight the importance of combining biological, morphological and molecular data for the correct taxonomical determination of a given species, particularly for members of the species complexes. We likewise emphasise the importance of studying the bionomics of primary and secondary vectors along with an examination of the local conditions affecting the transmission of malaria. The presence and spread of the major vectors and the emergence of secondary species capable of transmitting human Plasmodia are of great interest. When selecting control measures, the anopheline diversity in the region must be considered. Variation in macroclimate conditions over a species' geographical range must be well understood and targeted to plan effective control measures based on the population dynamics of the local Anopheles species.

Acanthops coloradensis sp. n. se describe a través de un único ejemplar hembra procedente del suroriente de Colombia, que difiere de otras especies al tener las alas más cortas que el abdomen.

Acanthops coloradensis n. sp. is described after a single female specimen from the southeast area in Colombia that differs from other species because it has wings shorter than the abdomen.

The morphologically similar taxa Anopheles calderoni, Anopheles punctimacula, Anopheles malefactor and Anopheles guarao are commonly misidentified. Isofamilies collected in Valle de Cauca, Colombia, showed morphological characters most similar to An. calderoni, a species which has never previously been reported in Colombia. Although discontinuity of the postsubcostal pale spots on the costa (C) and first radial (R1) wing veins is purportedly diagnostic for An. calderoni, the degree of overlap of the distal postsubcostal spot on C and R1 were variable in Colombian specimens (0.003-0.024). In addition, in 98.2% of larvae, seta 1-X was located off the saddle and seta 3-C had 4-7 branches in 86.7% of specimens examined. Correlation of DNA sequences of the second internal transcribed spacer and mtDNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI) barcodes (658 bp of the COI gene) generated from Colombian progeny material and wild-caught mosquitoes from Ecuador with those from the Peruvian type series of An. calderoni confirmed new country records. DNA barcodes generated for the closely related taxa, An. malefactor and An. punctimacula are also presented for the first time. Examination of museum specimens at the University of the Valle, Colombia, revealed the presence of An. calderoni in inland localities across Colombia and at elevations up to 1113 m.

La colección del Museo Entomológico de la Universidad del Valle cuenta con especimenes de 13 familias de heterópteros acuáticos, entre los que figura Gerridae, una familia asociada a la película superficial del agua en hábitats lóticos y lénticos, aguas dulces, salobres y saladas de los océanos. Con el objeto de obtener una aproximación a la diversidad y distribución de los ejemplares de esta familia representados en el museo, se revisaron todos los registros y material determinado hasta el nivel de especie. En total se encontraron 27 especies, representadas en los siguientes géneros: Rheumatobates (cuatro especies), Limnogonus (cuatro especies), Trepobates (cuatro especies), Telmatometra (tres especies) Halobates (tres especies), Potamobates (dos especies) y los géneros Charmatometra, Eurygerris, Tachygerris, Brachymetra, Platygerris, Telmatometroides y Metrobates con una especie cada uno, distribuidos en una franja altitudinal que va desde el nivel del mar hasta los 2.725 metros de elevación. Se reporta como primer registro para Colombia, Metrobates amblydonti. El trabajo representa un aporte taxonómico que complementa la distribución de estos géneros para Colombia.

The collection of the Entomological Museum of the Universidad del Valle has specimens from 13 families of aquatic heteropterans, which includes Gerridae, a family associated with the surface film of water in lotic and lentic habitats, freshwater, brackish water and salt water. In order to approximate the diversity and distribution of the specimens from this family represented in the museum, all the entries and determined materials were revised to the species level. In total 27 species were found, represented in the following genera: Rheumatobates (four species), Limnogonus (four species), Trepobates (four species), Telmatometra (three species), Halobates (three species), Potamobates (two species), and the genera Charmatometra, Eurygerris, Tachygerris, Brachymetra, Platygerris, Telmatometroides and Metrobates each with one species, distributed in an altitudinal corridor ranging from sea level up to 2,725 meters in elevation. We report for the first time in Colombia Metrobates amblydonti. This work represents a taxonomic contribution which complements the distribution of these genera in Colombia.

En el Valle del Cauca (Colombia), se estudió la distribución e identificación de las especies más abundantes de crisópidos en zonas donde se cultiva la caña de azúcar (Saccharum spp.) con mayor intensidad. Así, se han determinado las especies que podrían ser utilizadas para contrarrestar el efecto del pulgón amarillo Sipha flava (Hemiptera: Aphididae) sobre la producción total de la caña de azúcar. Aunque las especies y morfotipos del presente estudio son separados utilizando caracteres morfológicos, se evaluó la validez de dichos caracteres. Para esto, se realizó una diferenciación morfológica mediante genitalia interna y una diferenciación molecular, empleando la técnica PCR-RFLP sobre la región 18S del ADN ribosomal, de 11 especies de tres géneros de la familia Chrysopidae (Ceraeochrysa, Chrysoperla y Leucochrysa), algunas de las cuales podrían ser importantes como agentes de control biológico del pulgón amarillo de la caña de azúcar, S. flava. Los caracteres empleados resultaron ser útiles para distinguir las especies. En el caso de la genitalia interna, mostraron diferentes patrones de las estructuras. En el caso de los datos moleculares, las especies fueron diferenciadas utilizando solo una combinación de iniciadores NS para la amplificación del ADN y la digestión del amplificado producida con una enzima de restricción (NS5-NS6+DraI). Esta información se adiciona al conocimiento taxonómico que se tiene sobre la familia, además puede ayudar a resolver problemas sistemáticos al interior de los géneros.

In the Cauca Valley (Colombia), the distribution and identification of the most abundant lacewing species were studied in zones where sugar cane (Saccharum spp.) is cultivated. It has therefore been possible to determine the species that could be used to counter the effect of the yellow aphid Sipha flava (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on the overall production of sugar cane. Although the lacewing species and morphotypes in the current study can be separated using morphological characters, the validity of those characters was studied. To do that, we established a morphological differentiation using internal genitalia and a molecular differentiation using a PCR-RFLP analysis of the 18S rDNA region of 11 species from three genera of the family Chrysopidae (Ceraeochrysa, Chrysoperla, and Leucochrysa), some of whom could be important biological control agents of the yellow sugar cane aphid S. flava. The characters used proved to be useful for distinguishing the species. In the case of internal genitalia, there were different patterns of the structures. In the case of molecular data, the species were differentiated using only one combination of NS primers for the DNA amplification, followed by digestion of fragments with a restriction enzyme (NS5-NS6+DraI). These results add to the taxonomic understanding of the family, and may help resolve systematic problems within the genera.

The genetic variation and population structure of three populations of Anopheles darlingi from Colombia were studied using random amplified polymorphic markers (RAPDs) and amplified fragment length polymorphism markers (AFLPs). Six RAPD primers produced 46 polymorphic fragments, while two AFLP primer combinations produced 197 polymorphic fragments from 71 DNA samples. Both of the evaluated genetic markers showed the presence of gene flow, suggesting that Colombian An. darlingi populations are in panmixia. Average genetic diversity, estimated from observed heterozygosity, was 0.374 (RAPD) and 0.309 (AFLP). RAPD and AFLP markers showed little evidence of geographic separation between eastern and western populations; however, the F ST values showed high gene flow between the two western populations (RAPD: F ST = 0.029; Nm: 8.5; AFLP: F ST = 0.051; Nm: 4.7). According to molecular variance analysis (AMOVA), the genetic distance between populations was significant (RAPD:phiST = 0.084; AFLP:phiST = 0.229, P < 0.001). The F ST distances and AMOVAs using AFLP loci support the differentiation of the Guyana biogeographic province population from those of the Chocó-Magdalena. In this last region, Chocó and Córdoba populations showed the highest genetic flow.

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to analyze 119 DNA samples of three Colombian Anopheles nuneztovari populations to study genetic variation and structure. Genetic diversity, estimated from heterozygosity, averaged 0.34. Genetic flow was greater between the two populations located in Western Colombia (F ST: 0.035; Nm: 6.8) but lower between these two and the northeastern population (F ST: 0.08; Nm: 2.8). According to molecular variance analysis, the genetic distance between populations was significant (phiST 0.1131, P < 0.001). The variation among individuals within populations (phiST 0.8869, P < 0.001)was also significant, suggesting a greater degree of population subdivision, not considered in this study. Both the parameters evaluated and the genetic flow suggest that Colombian An. nuneztovari populations are co-specific.