REEVALUATION OF THE TAXONOMIC STATUS OF THE CULICOIDES SPP (DIPTERA, CERATOPOGONIDAE) FROM ISRAEL AND THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN AND REVIEW OF THEIR POTENTIAL MEDICAL AND VETERINARY IMPORTANCE

Fifty-eight Culicoides species were recorded in Israel, the Golan Heig hts, and Sinai. Culicoides arabiensis and C. near iranica were recorde d for the first time. Culicoides kurensis was identified instead of th e misidentified C. badooshensis. Of the Culicoides species that appear ed as distinct species in previous publications, it is now recognized that C. subravus is a synonym of C. ravus, C. cubitalis is a synonym o f C. kibunensis, and C. saevanicus is a synonym of C. griseidorsum. Th e potential medical/veterinary importance of the vector species is rev iewed.