Preferred landing sites of Culicoides species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) on a horse in Israel and its relevance to summer seasonal recurrent dermatitis (sweet itch).
Abstract: Six hundred and twenty culicoides of five species were collected from a bait horse at Kannot, Israel, between April and September 1986. Seventy-two per cent of the midges were collected from the belly and 27 per cent from the dorsal aspect of the body, ie, the sweet itch summer seasonal recurrent dermatitis (SSRD) zone. Midges were active mainly from half an hour prior to half an hour after sunset. Only Culicoides puncticollis, C imicola and C schultzei group were collected in considerable numbers. While C imicola was present continuously throughout the season, the appearance of the two other species was intermittent. Ninety-five per cent of C schultzei group and approximately 100 per cent of the C puncticollis prefer to land on and most probably bite the belly. Culicoides imicola showed a clear preference for the dorsal ridge which overlaps the (SSRD) itch zone, and 70 per cent of the midges were collected there, while 28 per cent were collected from the belly. A considerably high proportion of the midges of this species were parous, ie, part of the population lived long enough to bite more than once. Skin temperature measurements showed the belly to be the warmest part of the body. Wind speeds of two to three knots reduced the number of midges collected. The findings of this study, together with a previous one (Braverman et al 1983), incriminate C imicola as the likely principal agent of SSRD in Israel.
Publication Date: 1988-11-01 PubMed ID: 3215168DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1988.tb01566.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article explains a study conducted in Israel on the preferred landing sites of Culicoides species (biting midges) on a horse and the implications for summer recurrent dermatitis, a common equine condition. The study findings highlight the different preferences of midge species for certain body parts and their varying activity patterns.
Research Methodology
- The study took place from April to September 1986 and used a bait horse at Kannot, Israel.
- 620 midges from five species were collected for the study.
- The researchers observed the midges’ activity patterns and their preferred landing locations on the horse.
Key Findings
- A significant percentage (72%) of the midges were collected from the belly of the horse and 27% from the dorsal aspect, correlating with the common areas affected by summer recurrent dermatitis (SSRD).
- Most midge activity occurred from half an hour before to half an hour after sunset.
- Among the collected midges, Culicoides puncticollis, C imicola and C schultzei were found in significant numbers.
- C imicola was found consistently throughout the study period, while the presence of the other two species was intermittent.
- Approximately 100% of C puncticollis and 95% of C schultzei preferred to land, and likely bite, on the belly of the horse. Meanwhile, C imicola showed a preference for the dorsal ridge, with about 70% of the midges collected there.
- A high proportion of C imicola were found to be parous, meaning they likely lived long enough to bite more than once.
- Measurements revealed the belly to be the warmest part of the horse, potentially explaining some of the midges’ preference for this area.
- Wind speeds of two to three knots were found to reduce the number of midges collected.
Conclusion
- The findings corroborate a previous study by Braverman et al (1983) in implicating C imicola as the most likely culprit for SSRD in Israel.
- This research provides valuable information on the behaviour and habits of biting midges, which is crucial for developing strategies to control SSRD in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Braverman Y.
(1988).
Preferred landing sites of Culicoides species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) on a horse in Israel and its relevance to summer seasonal recurrent dermatitis (sweet itch).
Equine Vet J, 20(6), 426-429.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1988.tb01566.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet-Dagan, Israel.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Ceratopogonidae / physiology
- Dermatitis / etiology
- Dermatitis / veterinary
- Ectoparasitic Infestations / complications
- Ectoparasitic Infestations / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horses
- Israel
- Male
- Recurrence
- Seasons
- Wind
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- Simonin EM, Wagner B. IgE-binding monocytes upregulate the coagulation cascade in allergic horses. Genes Immun 2023 Jun;24(3):130-138.
- Simonin EM, Babasyan S, Tarsillo J, Wagner B. IgE+ plasmablasts predict the onset of clinical allergy. Front Immunol 2023;14:1104609.
- Larson EM, Babasyan S, Wagner B. IgE-Binding Monocytes Have an Enhanced Ability to Produce IL-8 (CXCL8) in Animals with Naturally Occurring Allergy. J Immunol 2021 May 15;206(10):2312-2321.
- Larson EM, Babasyan S, Wagner B. Phenotype and function of IgE-binding monocytes in equine Culicoides hypersensitivity. PLoS One 2020;15(5):e0233537.
- Leta S, Fetene E, Mulatu T, Amenu K, Jaleta MB, Beyene TJ, Negussie H, Kriticos D, Revie CW. Updating the global occurrence of Culicoides imicola, a vector for emerging viral diseases. Sci Data 2019 Sep 30;6(1):185.
- Thompson GM, Jess S, Gordon AW, Murchie AK. Sticky-trapping biting midges (Culicoides spp.) alighting on cattle and sheep: effects of trap colour and evidence for host preference. Parasitol Res 2014 Aug;113(8):3085-94.
- Viennet E, Garros C, Lancelot R, Allène X, Gardès L, Rakotoarivony I, Crochet D, Delécolle JC, Moulia C, Baldet T, Balenghien T. Assessment of vector/host contact: comparison of animal-baited traps and UV-light/suction trap for collecting Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), vectors of Orbiviruses. Parasit Vectors 2011 Jun 27;4:119.
- Langner KF, Jarvis DL, Nimtz M, Heselhaus JE, McHolland LE, Leibold W, Drolet BS. Identification, expression and characterisation of a major salivary allergen (Cul s 1) of the biting midge Culicoides sonorensis relevant for summer eczema in horses. Int J Parasitol 2009 Jan;39(2):243-50.
- Simonin EM, Torsteinsdóttir S, Svansson V, Björnsdóttir S, Freer H, Tarsillo J, Wagner B. Early allergen introduction overrides allergy predisposition in offspring of horses with Culicoides hypersensitivity. Front Immunol 2025;16:1654693.
- Graner A, Mueller RS, Geisler J, Bogenstätter D, White SJ, Jonsdottir S, Marti E. Allergen immunotherapy using recombinant Culicoides allergens improves clinical signs of equine insect bite hypersensitivity. Front Allergy 2024;5:1467245.
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