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Home / Equine Research Bank / Parasitol Res / Circadian activity of Culicoides oxystoma (Diptera: Ceratopo...
Parasitology research2015; 114(8); 3151-3158; doi: 10.1007/s00436-015-4534-8

Circadian activity of Culicoides oxystoma (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), potential vector of bluetongue and African horse sickness viruses in the Niayes area, Senegal.

Abstract: Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are important vectors of arboviruses in Africa. Culicoides oxystoma has been recently recorded in the Niayes region of Senegal (West Africa) and its high abundance on horses suggests a potential implication in the transmission of the African horse sickness virus in this region. This species is also suspected to transmit bluetongue virus to imported breeds of sheep. Little information is available on the biology and ecology of Culicoides in Africa. Therefore, understanding the circadian host-seeking activity of this putative vector is of primary importance to assess the risk of the transmission of Culicoides-borne pathogens. To achieve this objective, midges were collected using a sheep-baited trap over two consecutive 24-h periods during four seasons in 2012. A total of 441 Culicoides, belonging to nine species including 418 (94.8%) specimens of C. oxystoma, were collected. C. oxystoma presented a bimodal circadian host-seeking activity at sunrise and sunset in July and was active 3 h after sunrise in April. Daily activity appeared mainly related to time periods. Morning activity increased with the increasing temperature up to about 27 °C and then decreased with the decreasing humidity, suggesting thermal limits for C. oxystoma activity. Evening activity increased with the increasing humidity and the decreasing temperature, comprised between 20 and 27 °C according to seasons. Interestingly, males were more abundant in our sampling sessions, with similar activity periods than females, suggesting potential animal host implication in the facilitation of reproduction. Finally, the low number of C. oxystoma collected render practical vector-control recommendations difficult to provide and highlight the lack of knowledge on the bio-ecology of this species of veterinary interest.
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Publication Date: 2015-05-24 PubMed ID: 26002826PubMed Central: PMC4513201DOI: 10.1007/s00436-015-4534-8Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research delves into the circadian activity of Culicoides oxystoma, a type of biting midge found in the Niayes region of Senegal. This species is suspected of transmitting viruses such as bluetongue and African horse sickness, with the study indicating its activity is influenced by temperature and humidity. However, attempts at controlling this vector are hampered by the scarcity of detailed knowledge on its bio-ecology.

Introduction and Background

  • The paper examines the behavior and potential threat of Culicoides oxystoma, a species of biting midges commonly found in the Niayes area of Senegal, West Africa.
  • Of importance is the species’ suspected role in transmitting viral diseases such as African horse sickness and bluetongue to key local species, including horses and sheep, which necessitates a deeper understanding of its behavior and ecology.
  • Existing data on the biology and ecology of Culicoides species in Africa are scarce, making studies like this crucial.

Research Methodology

  • Researchers collected midges during two consecutive 24-hour periods across four seasons in 2012 using a sheep-baited trap.
  • Out of 441 collected samples, 94.8% were C. oxystoma species, making it the most common among the nine species collected.

Findings

  • C. oxystoma exhibited a bimodal circadian host-seeking activity. Meaning, they were most active during sunrise and sunset in July and active 3 hours after sunrise in April.
  • These daily activities showed high correlation with temperature and humidity: increasing activity with increasing temperature up to about 27°C and then decreasing with decreasing humidity.
  • Evening activity patterns similarly correlated with the environment, increasing with rising humidity and decreasing temperatures, ranging between 20°C and 27°C depending on the season.
  • Interestingly, male C. oxystoma were more abundant than females during sampling sessions and exhibited similar activity periods, suggesting animal hosts facilitate reproduction.

Conclusion

  • The research provides insight into the behavior of a highly likely vector of veterinary diseases in the region, connecting its activity to climatic parameters such as temperature and humidity.
  • The small number of C. oxystoma collected, however, underscores the difficulty of issuing practical vector control recommendations and highlights the urgent need for further research on the bio-ecology of this species.

Cite This Article

APA
Fall M, Fall AG, Seck MT, Bouyer J, Diarra M, Balenghien T, Garros C, Bakhoum MT, Faye O, Baldet T, Gimonneau G. (2015). Circadian activity of Culicoides oxystoma (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), potential vector of bluetongue and African horse sickness viruses in the Niayes area, Senegal. Parasitol Res, 114(8), 3151-3158. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-015-4534-8

Publication

Parasitology research
ISSN: 1432-1955
NlmUniqueID: 8703571
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 114
Issue: 8
Pages: 3151-3158

Researcher Affiliations

Fall, Moussa
  • Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles, Laboratoire National de l'Elevage et de Recherches Vétérinaires, Route du Front de Terre, BP 2057, Dakar, Senegal.
Fall, Assane G
    Seck, Momar T
      Bouyer, Jérémy
        Diarra, Maryam
          Balenghien, Thomas
            Garros, Claire
              Bakhoum, Mame T
                Faye, Ousmane
                  Baldet, Thierry
                    Gimonneau, Geoffrey

                      MeSH Terms

                      • African Horse Sickness Virus / physiology
                      • Animals
                      • Bluetongue virus / physiology
                      • Ceratopogonidae / physiology
                      • Ceratopogonidae / virology
                      • Circadian Rhythm / physiology
                      • Female
                      • Humidity
                      • Insect Vectors / physiology
                      • Insect Vectors / virology
                      • Male
                      • Seasons
                      • Senegal

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