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Culicidae > Culicinae > Sabethini

Distribution
Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela
Distribution map

Synonyms
None

Bionomics
Sabethes are forest mosquitoes. The larvae inhabit plant cavities, primarily bamboo and tree-holes, but bromeliads reportedly harbor a few species. The larval habitats of most species are unknown. Adults are active during the daylight hours. They are attracted to humans on the ground but are most abundant in the forest canopy. Blood-seeking species of the subgenus Sabethes approach humans slowly and have a predilection for landing on the nose.

Important References >> 		habitus image Representative species shown here:
Sabethes tarsopus

Genus-specific Diagnostic Characters, Adult Stage:
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1. Scutum with some metallic or irridescent scales,
2. Prespiracular setae present,
3. Proboscis not or only slightly tapered, tip may be slightly swollen.

Recommended characters:
4. Base of hindcoxa in line with or slightly above base of mesomeron,
5. Lower mesepimeral setae absent,
6. Postspiracular setae absent.

Genus-specific Diagnostic Characters, Larval Stage >>

Medical Importance
Sabethes chloropterus appears to play a role in the transmission of yellow fever virus in Central America. Ilheus and St. Louis encephalitis viruses have also been isolated from this species in Panama, and the latter virus has been isolated from Sa. belisarioi in Brazil.