Aedes (Alanstonea)

{{Short description|Subgenus of mosquito}} {{Automatic taxobox | italic_title = taxon | taxon = Aedes (Alanstonea) | authority = Mattingly, 1960 | subdivision_ranks = Species }}

'''''Alanstonea''''' is a subgenus of ''Aedes'', a genus of mosquito in the tribe ''Aedini''. Species are found in Southeast Asia: recorded in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Harbach |first=Ralph |date=2008 |title=Alanstonea Mattingly, 1960 |url=https://mosquito-taxonomic-inventory.myspecies.info/simpletaxonomy/term/6072 |website=Mosquito Taxonomic Inventory}}</ref>

== Characteristics == Adult members of ''Alanstonea'' are similar morphologically to those of ''Armigeres.'' They both have similar size and colouration, as well as a laterally compressed proboscis that curves downwards. They differ to ''Armigeres'' due to the absence of setae on the lower mesepimeron and features of the male genitalia. These differences are more obvious in immature stages.<ref name=":0" />

Paddles of pupae lack a midrib and a marginal fringe, both which ''Armigeres'' have, and larvae have a narrow siphon and a pecten. Maxillary palps are slender and bare, on adult females are shorter than 0.25x the length of the proboscis, while males have longer palps than proboscis. Scales and scale patches can be used to differentiate members of this genus from those of other genera.<ref name=":0" />

== Life cycle == Pupae, eggs, and larvae can be found in ''Nepenthes'' pitcher plants. The larvae are carnivorous, feeding on other mosquito larvae.<ref name=":0" />

The eggs are 0.78 mm long and 0.2 mm broad, the end of which the larva hatches from is broader than the other. Eggs are dark, almost black. The eggs do not float on water, instead are laid separately on inner surfaces of the pitchers. They are always positioned in a ring.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Mattingly |first=P. F. |title=Mosquito eggs XIV. Genus Armigeres Theobald (continued) and Aedes subgenus Alanstonea Mattingly |url=https://mosquito-taxonomic-inventory.myspecies.info/mosquito-eggs-xiv-genus-ltemgtarmigeresltemgt-theobald-continued-and-ltemgtaedesltemgt-subgenus-ltem |journal=Mosquito Systematics Newsletter |volume=3 |issue=3 |pages=130-137}}</ref>

== Taxonomy == Both species in this genus were originally put in ''Armigeres''. Later, they were transferred to the subgenus of ''Aedes'', ''Stegomyia''. This did not fit them well, and they were moved to a new subgenus of ''Aedes''.<ref name=":1" />

== Species == * ''Aedes brevitibia'' <small>(Edwards, 1914)</small> * ''Aedes treubi'' <small>(de Meijere, 1910)</small>

== References == {{Reflist}}

Alanstonea Category:Insect subgenera