Trichoprosopon


Trichoprosopon is a genus of mosquitoes which occurs in the Neotropical region, ranging from Mexico south to Argentina. There are currently 17 described species recognized, but there is also an unknown number of undescribed species. They are a poorly understood group with a confused taxonomic history.

Biology

Adult Trichoprosopon mosquitoes are diurnal and occur in forested habitats. Their larvae develop in phytotelmata, including bamboo internodes, tree holes, Heliconia bracts, in palms and bromeliads, cacao pods, and coconut husks. Only one species, the widespread Tr. digitatum, is considered medically significant. It is a potential vector of arboviruses, as the Pixuna, Wyeomyia, Bussuquara, Ilhéus, and St. Louis Encephalitis viruses have been isolated from this species.

Species

, the following species are recognized:
SpeciesAuthorityKnown Distribution
Trichoprosopon andinumLevi-Castillo, 1953Colombia, Ecuador
Trichoprosopon brevipesBrazil
Trichoprosopon castroiLane & Cerqueira, 1942Argentina, Brazil, Panama
Trichoprosopon compressumLutz, 1905Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Venezuela
Trichoprosopon digitatumArgentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela
Trichoprosopon evansaeAntunes, 1942Colombia, Venezuela
Trichoprosopon lampropusBrazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama
Trichoprosopon laneiColombia, Ecuador
Trichoprosopon mixtliRivera-García, Mendez-Andrade & Ibáñez-Bernal, 2023Mexico
Trichoprosopon mogilasiumBrazil, Panama
Trichoprosopon obscurumLane & Cerqueira, 1942Argentina, Brazil
Trichoprosopon pallidiventerArgentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela
Trichoprosopon simileLane & Cerqueira, 1942Argentina, Brazil
Trichoprosopon soaresiLane & Cerqueira, 1942Brazil, French Guiana, Mexico?
Trichoprosopon townsendiStone, 1944Brazil, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago
Trichoprosopon trichorryesPanama
Trichoprosopon vonplesseniEcuador