Comparative Morphology of Male and Female Genitalia and Its Role in Reproductive Behaviour of Biting Midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from the Gangetic Plains of Uttar Pradesh, India

Author(s)	Dr. Barkha
Country	India
Abstract	Biting midges belonging to the family Ceratopogonidae represent a diverse group of dipteran insects widely distributed across tropical and temperate regions. Their genital morphology plays a crucial role in species identification, reproductive isolation, and mating success. The present study investigates the comparative morphology of male and female genitalia in selected species of biting midges collected from the Gangetic plains of Uttar Pradesh, India. Specimens were collected using light traps and sweep nets from different aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats. Morphological examination was conducted under a compound microscope after appropriate slide preparation. Distinct differences were observed in the genital structures of males and females, particularly in the aedeagus, parameres, and gonocoxites in males and spermathecae in females. These morphological variations are essential for species-level taxonomy and influence mating behaviour and reproductive success. The findings contribute to the understanding of reproductive biology and taxonomy of Ceratopogonidae and highlight the significance of genital morphology in evolutionary adaptation and species recognition.
Keywords	Biting midges, Ceratopogonidae, genital morphology, reproductive behaviour, Diptera taxonomy.
Published In	Volume 10, Issue 3, March 2019
Published On	2019-03-20

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International Journal of Technology and Applied Science