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Medical and veterinary entomology2019; 33(4); 467-475; doi: 10.1111/mve.12381

Bloodmeal analysis in Culicoides midges collected near horses, donkeys and zebras in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Abstract: An upsurge in African horse sickness (AHS) in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, from 2006 led to an epidemiological reassessment of the disease there. Light trapping surveys carried out near horses, donkeys and zebras in 2014-2016 collected 39 species of Culicoides midge (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) that are potential vectors of AHS. To establish if these midges fed on equids, DNA sequences were obtained from the gut contents of 52 female midges (35 freshly blood-fed, 13 gravid and four parous), representing 11 species collected across 11 sites. Culicoides leucostictus fed on all three equids. Culicoides bolitinos, Culicoides imicola and Culicoides magnus fed on both horses and donkeys. Culicoides onderstepoortensis fed on donkeys, and Culicoides similis and Culicoides pycnostictus fed on zebras. Bloodmeals from cows, pigs, warthogs, impalas and a domestic dog were also identified in various species, but none of the midges tested had fed on birds. These results contribute to knowledge of the vectorial capacity of several species of Culicoides with regard to AHS in the Eastern Cape and point to potential reservoir hosts, of which donkeys, zebras and domestic dogs have previously been found to harbour AHS. Blood-fed midges were also obtained throughout winter, indicating the potential for endemic AHS in the province.
© 2019 The Royal Entomological Society.
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Publication Date: 2019-05-16 PubMed ID: 31099060DOI: 10.1111/mve.12381Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The article describes a study of what different species of Culicoides midges eat in Eastern Cape, South Africa due to a rise in incidence of African horse sickness (AHS). The results gave a better understanding of which animals these midges feed on and thus potentially spread AHS to, which included horses, donkeys, and zebras among others.

Background

  • In South Africa, particularly in the Eastern Cape, there has been a notable increase in the occurrence of African horse sickness (AHS) since 2006. As a result, researchers decided to conduct an in-depth study to understand the epidemiology of the disease in the region.
  • The focus was on the Culicoides midge, an insect that belongs to the Diptera: Ceratopogonidae family, which are considered potential vectors of AHS. A total of 39 species of these midges were found across 11 different sites, possibly passing on the disease to local animals.

Methodology

  • The researchers set up light traps near horses, donkeys, and zebras in the Eastern Cape between 2014 and 2016.
  • They then collected the female midges that were caught in the traps and analyzed the gut content of the insects to discover their feeding habits. Overall, 52 female midges were investigated, including 35 which had recently fed, 13 that were gravid (pregnant), and four that were parous (had given birth).

Findings

  • Analysis revealed that Culicoides leucostictus feeds on horses, donkeys, and zebras, while Culicoides bolitinos, Culicoides imicola, and Culicoides magnus feed on both horses and donkeys.
  • Culicoides onderstepoortensis was discovered to feed on donkeys, whereas Culicoides similis and Culicoides pycnostictus were found to feed on zebras.
  • Interestingly, researchers also found that these midge species fed on cows, pigs, warthogs, impalas, and a domestic dog. However, none of the midges had fed on birds.
  • The discovery of midges feeding on donkeys, zebras, and domestic dogs was significant as these animals have previously been identified as potential reservoir hosts of AHS.

Conclusion

  • This research adds to the current understanding of AHS in the Eastern Cape by providing essential information about potential vectors and reservoir hosts.
  • The presence of blood-fed midges during winter months suggests AHS might be endemic in the area, signifying the disease could occur all year round and is likely not limited by season.

Cite This Article

APA
Riddin MA, Venter GJ, Labuschagne K, Villet MH. (2019). Bloodmeal analysis in Culicoides midges collected near horses, donkeys and zebras in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Med Vet Entomol, 33(4), 467-475. https://doi.org/10.1111/mve.12381

Publication

Medical and veterinary entomology
ISSN: 1365-2915
NlmUniqueID: 8708682
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 33
Issue: 4
Pages: 467-475

Researcher Affiliations

Riddin, M A
  • Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa.
Venter, G J
  • Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Pretoria, South Africa.
Labuschagne, K
  • Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Pretoria, South Africa.
Villet, M H
  • Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Ceratopogonidae / physiology
  • Diet
  • Equidae
  • Feeding Behavior
  • Female
  • Food Chain
  • Horses
  • Host Specificity
  • South Africa
  • Species Specificity

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Kapustová A, Kulich Fialová M, Svobodová M, Brzoňová J. Combining blood meal analysis and parasite detection yields a more comprehensive understanding of insect host feeding patterns. Parasit Vectors 2025 Jul 20;18(1):288.
    doi: 10.1186/s13071-025-06931-8pubmed: 40685354google scholar: lookup
  2. Hanekom J, Ebersohn K, Penzhorn L, Quan M, Leisewitz A, Guthrie A, Fosgate GT. Bluetongue Virus Infection in Farm Dogs Exposed to an Infected Sheep Flock in South Africa. Transbound Emerg Dis 2024;2024:2446398.
    doi: 10.1155/2024/2446398pubmed: 40303113google scholar: lookup
  3. Li N, Meng J, He Y, Wang W, Wang J. Potential roles of Culicoides spp. (Culicoides imicola, Culicoides oxystoma) as biological vectors of bluetongue virus in Yuanyang of Yunnan, P. R. China. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023;13:1283216.
    doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1283216pubmed: 38274733google scholar: lookup
  4. González MA, Goiri F, Prosser SWJ, Cevidanes A, Hernández-Triana LM, Barandika JF, Hebert PDN, García-Pérez AL. Culicoides species community composition and feeding preferences in two aquatic ecosystems in northern Spain. Parasit Vectors 2022 Jun 11;15(1):199.
    doi: 10.1186/s13071-022-05297-5pubmed: 35690834google scholar: lookup
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