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Parasitology research2009; 105(2); 373-380; doi: 10.1007/s00436-009-1408-y

Feeding patterns of biting midges of the Culicoides obsoletus and Culicoides pulicaris groups on selected farms in Brandenburg, Germany.

Abstract: Host feeding patterns of engorged sibling species of the Culicoides obsoletus and Culicoides pulicaris groups captured during three nights on two selected farms maintaining either cattle, sheep, horses, and pigs (Seedorf, Brandenburg) or cattle, sheep, moufflons, and red and fallow deer (Paulinenaue, Brandenburg) were determined by polymerase chain reaction amplification using conserved primers and sets of species-specific primers derived from vertebrates mitochondrial cytochrome b. Out of a total of 177 blood meals analysed, 115 (65%) tested positive for a blood meal from vertebrates. 63.5% (n = 73) of the cyt b positive specimens could be further assigned down to the species level. Cattle appeared to be the most attractive hosts for Palaearctic biting midges (79.5%, n = 58) even if other large vertebrates were kept in their immediate vicinity. If pigs or horses were additionally maintained on a farm, they were likewise attacked by biting midges but at a distinctly smaller rate than cattle (pigs 13.7%, horses 2.7%). In this study, game animals appear to be less attractive than cattle since only a few engorged midges had taken a blood meal from red deer (4.1%). None of the blood meals analysed tested positive for sheep. Preliminary results reveal that biting midges of the C. pulicaris and C. obsoletus groups can feed on a range of vertebrate hosts but with a distinct preference for cattle even if other livestock are maintained in adjacent areas.
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Publication Date: 2009-03-24 PubMed ID: 19308450DOI: 10.1007/s00436-009-1408-yGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 investigates the feeding preferences of biting midges, specifically those in the Culicoides obsoletus and Culicoides pulicaris groups, on various livestock species on specified farms in Brandenburg, Germany. It found that cattle were a favored food source for the midges, regardless of other available livestock, while other diverse host species such as pigs, horses, and game animals were less attractive.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers captured engorged sibling species from the Culicoides obsoletus and Culicoides pulicaris groups for the investigation.
  • The capture was done over three nights on two selected farms – one farm housed cattle, sheep, horses, and pigs, and the other had cattle, sheep, Moufflons, and red and fallow deer.
  • The feeding patterns were determined via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification using conserved primers and species-specific primers derived from the vertebrates’ mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b).
  • A total of 177 blood meals were analyzed, with 115 (65%) testing positive for a blood meal from vertebrates.

Findings

  • Of the cyt b positive specimens, 63.5% (73 out of 115) could be successfully assigned down to their species level.
  • Cattle turned out to be the most attractive hosts for the Palaearctic biting midges, constituting 79.5% of the seventy-three identified feed sources.
  • Even if other large vertebrates were in close proximity, biting midges maintained a strong preference for cattle.
  • Pigs and horses also attracted the midges when maintained on a farm, but at a significantly smaller rate than the cattle,with 13.7% and 2.7% respectively.
  • Game animals on the farm were less favored, with only 4.1% of engorged midges having fed on red deer.
  • Interestingly, none of the blood meals tested showed any signs of having come from sheep.

Conclusions

  • The research concluded that biting midges from the Culicoides pulicaris and Culicoides obsoletus groups exhibit preference in their feeding habits, favoring cattle over other livestock present in the vicinity.
  • This knowledge could potentially assist in devising strategies to control midge populations or protect livestock, by taking into account their feeding preferences.

Cite This Article

APA
Bartsch S, Bauer B, Wiemann A, Clausen PH, Steuber S. (2009). Feeding patterns of biting midges of the Culicoides obsoletus and Culicoides pulicaris groups on selected farms in Brandenburg, Germany. Parasitol Res, 105(2), 373-380. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-009-1408-y

Publication

Parasitology research
ISSN: 1432-1955
NlmUniqueID: 8703571
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 105
Issue: 2
Pages: 373-380

Researcher Affiliations

Bartsch, Stefanie
  • Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Koenigsweg 67, 14163, Berlin, Germany.
Bauer, Burkhard
    Wiemann, Angelika
      Clausen, Peter-Henning
        Steuber, Stephan

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Animals, Domestic
          • Animals, Wild
          • Blood
          • Ceratopogonidae / physiology
          • Cytochromes b / genetics
          • DNA Primers / genetics
          • Feeding Behavior
          • Germany
          • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods

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