In biting midges (Culicoides) studies conducted in the Brazilian Central Amazon, high diversity indices were found, with 46 species, five species new to the reticulatus group and 39 morphotypes in seven subgenera that could not be identified by classical morphology due to variations. morphological for valid species. This situation should be repeated in several areas in the Amazon, making it necessary to add other combined methods of morphological diagnosis, such as morphometric and genetic analyzes, to more accurately elucidate the diversity of Culicoides.
Correct identification of an insect of economic / epidemiological interest is a basic premise for solving any entomological problem. The taxonomy of these biting midges based on their morphological characteristics is difficult due to their small size and occurrence of cryptic and complex species and those with phenotypic plasticity, which lead to misidentifications. Accurate identification is of great importance in the surveillance of arthropod-borne diseases, as large differences in vectorial capacity are found even among nearby species. My interest is to estimate the diversity of biting midges (Culicoides and Leptoconops, Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in different regions of the Amazon, to understand biodiversity and elucidate taxonomic limits through integrated taxonomy methods.