Culicoides boydi (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae): a potential vector of hemorrhagic disease viruses to desert bighorn sheep in southern California.

Culicoides boydi new species is described from Riverside County, CA. A taxonomic key, table of numerical characters, and female wing photographs are presented to distinguish it from the three other species of the Culicoides pusillus species group of the subgenus Avaritia. Brief notes are presented on its biology and distribution and suspected vector potential in the transmission of bluetongue virus to desert bighorn sheep in California.