First report of Leptoconops noei in Tuscany inland and new morphological findings

The genus Leptoconops (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) is a taxon of blood-feeder biting-midges, with unknown vectorial role. In Italy the distribution is limited to non-urbanized coastal marshes and river mouths, with five species described. We investigated the presence of Leptoconops species in the land-locked hilly of Siena district, where these biting-midges had never been reported. We collected over 300 specimens of Leptoconops in 13 sites in July during the three years 2022-2024. To identify the species using taxonomical keys, the samples have been pictured with a high-precision digital stereomicroscope and with a scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, we sequenced mitochondrial gene COI. As comparison, we conducted the same analysis with specimens collected during previously sampling campaigns in Grosseto district, where Leptoconops genus is well established and studied. All Siena specimens have been identified as Leptoconops noei (CLASTRIER&COLUZZI 1973) at morphological level. Molecular data and phylogenetic analysis confirmed the morphological identification. At SEM observation, Siena L. noei lacks the bulb-shaped sensilla in the palpal pit. These supposed olfactory organs have been descripted in every Italian Leptoconops species so far. For the first time, we attested the presence of L. noei in a new Italian district, with different geographical features, and described new morphological characteristics.