Identification of the larvae of the Simulium damnosum complex from Nigeria by analysis of cuticular hydrocarbons

The larvae of three sibling species of the Simulium damnosum complex were studied with a view to identification, using a Gas Liquid Chromatograph to analyze the hydrocarbons in the cuticular wax extracts. Multivariate statistics was applied to the chromatographic data to differentiate three sibling species: S. damnosum s.s., S. squamosum and S. yahense. Paired comparisons between the species gave greater than 96 % correct classifications in all cases