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Diversity and ecology survey of mosquitoes potential vectors in Belgian equestrian farms: A threat prevention of mosquito-borne equine arboviruses.
Abstract: Emergence of West Nile Virus was recently recorded in several European countries, which can lead to severe health problems in horse populations. Europe is also at risk of introduction of mosquito-borne equine alphavirus from Americas. Prevention of these arboviruses requires a clear understanding of transmission cycles, especially their vectors. To characterize mosquito fauna, their ecology and identify potential vectors of equine arboviruses in Belgium, entomological surveys of six equestrian farms located in the Wolloon Region were conducted during 2011-2012. The harvest of mosquitoes was based on larval sampling (272 samples from 111 breeding sites) and monthly adults trapping (CO2-baited traps, Mosquito Magnet Liberty Plus). Among 51,493 larvae and 319 adult mosquitoes collected, morphological identification showed the presence of 11 species: Anopheles claviger (Meigen), An. maculipennis s.l. (Meigen), An. plumbeus (Stephens), Culex hortensis (Ficalbi), Cx. territans (Walker), Cx. pipiens s.l. L., Cx. torrentium (Martini), Coquillettidia richiardii (Ficalbi), Culiseta annulata (Schrank), Aedes cantans (Meigen), Ae. geniculatus (Olivier). Molecular identification of Cx. pipiens species complex allowed the detection of three molecular forms, Pipiens (92.3%), Molestus (4.6%) and Hybrid (3.1%). Larvae of Cx. pipiens sl and Cx. torrentium were omnipresent and the most abundant species. Water troughs, ponds and slurry (liquid manure) were the most favorable breeding sites of mosquito larvae. Based upon behavior and ecology of the identified mosquito species, Studied Belgian equestrian farms seem to provide a suitable environment and breeding sites for the proliferation of potential vectors of arboviruses and those being a real nuisance problem for horses and neighboring inhabitants.
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2015-12-29 PubMed ID: 26775817DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2015.12.013Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research examines the diversity and ecology of mosquito species in Belgian equestrian farms in a bid to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne equine arboviruses like the West Nile Virus. With surveys across six farms, the researchers collected and analyzed 51,493 larvae and 319 adult mosquitoes, identifying 11 species, and rising concerns over the conducive environment for arboviruses vectors’ proliferation within the studied farms.
Study Objective
- The research was focused on exploring and understanding the diversity and ecology of mosquito species in Belgian equestrian farms. This is essential for the prevention of potential spread and outbreaks of mosquito-borne equine arboviruses, like the West Nile Virus and equine alphavirus, noting their impact on horse health and their recent emergence in Europe.
Methodology
- The researchers conducted detailed surveys of six equestrian farms located in the Wolloon Region of Belgium. This spanned a period of two years, between 2011 and 2012.
- The collection of both mosquito larvae and adults was done. The larvae collection was based on a total of 272 samples from 111 breeding sites, while the adult mosquitoes were trapped monthly using CO2-baited traps.
- A total of 51,493 larvae and 319 adult mosquitoes were collected for the study.
Results and Findings
- Through morphological identification, the researchers were able to identify 11 species of mosquitoes from collected samples, which included Anopheles claviger, An. maculipennis s.l., An. plumbeus, Culex hortensis, Cx. territans, Cx. pipiens s.l. L., Cx. torrentium, etc.
- Further molecular identification of the Cx. pipiens species complex led to the detection of three molecular forms, namely Pipiens (92.3%), Molestus (4.6%), and Hybrid (3.1%).
- The larvae of Cx. pipiens sl and Cx. torrentium were identified as the most abundant species and appeared to be omnipresent.
- Most favorable breeding sites of mosquito larvae were found to be water troughs, ponds, and slurry (liquid manure).
Implications of the Study
- Given the behavior and ecology of the identified mosquito species, the studied Belgian equestrian farms seem to provide a suitable environment and breeding sites for proliferation of potential vectors of arboviruses.
- Arboviruses present a real nuisance problem not just for horses, but also for neighboring inhabitants, thus making the findings of this study vital for effective disease prevention and control.
Cite This Article
APA
Boukraa S, de La Grandiere MA, Bawin T, Raharimalala FN, Zimmer JY, Haubruge E, Thiry E, Francis F.
(2015).
Diversity and ecology survey of mosquitoes potential vectors in Belgian equestrian farms: A threat prevention of mosquito-borne equine arboviruses.
Prev Vet Med, 124, 58-68.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2015.12.013 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Unit of Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, Passage des Déportés 2, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium. Electronic address: entomologie.gembloux@ulg.ac.be.
- Veterinary virology and animal viral diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, FARAH Center, University of Liège, Quartier Vallée 2, Avenue de Cureghem 10, B43b, B-4000 Liège, Belgium.
- Unit of Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, Passage des Déportés 2, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium.
- Medical Entomology Unit, Pasteur Institute, Ambatofotsikely, 101-Antananarivo, Madagascar.
- Unit of Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, Passage des Déportés 2, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium.
- Unit of Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, Passage des Déportés 2, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium.
- Veterinary virology and animal viral diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, FARAH Center, University of Liège, Quartier Vallée 2, Avenue de Cureghem 10, B43b, B-4000 Liège, Belgium.
- Unit of Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, Passage des Déportés 2, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Husbandry
- Animals
- Arbovirus Infections / transmission
- Arbovirus Infections / veterinary
- Arboviruses / physiology
- Belgium
- Biodiversity
- Culicidae / classification
- Culicidae / physiology
- Culicidae / virology
- Horse Diseases / transmission
- Horses
- Insect Vectors / classification
- Insect Vectors / physiology
- Insect Vectors / virology
- Population Dynamics
- Seasons
Citations
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- Abdugheni R, Li L, Yang ZN, Huang Y, Fang BZ, Shurigin V, Mohamad OAA, Liu YH, Li WJ. Microbial Risks Caused by Livestock Excrement: Current Research Status and Prospects. Microorganisms 2023 Jul 27;11(8).
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