FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Parasitol / Seasonal dynamics of biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae...
Veterinary parasitology2011; 184(1); 59-67; doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.08.009

Seasonal dynamics of biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae: Culicoides), the potential vectors of bluetongue virus, in Sweden.

Abstract: The outbreak of bluetongue (BT) in northern Europe 2006 initiated the monitoring of vectors, biting midges of the genus Culicoides in Sweden. In order to determine the diversity, distribution and seasonal dynamics of Culicoides, weekly collections were made during 2008 and during March-December 2009 using the Ondestepoort Veterinary Institute black light trap. Twenty sampling sites were selected in 12 provinces. In total of 30,704 Culicoides were collected in 2008 and 32,252 in 2009. The most abundant species were the potential vectors of BTV Culicoides obsoletus/C. scoticus that comprised of 77% of the total catches. Other biting midges collected were Culicoides impunctatus (9%), Culicoides grisescens (3%), Culicoides punctatus (2%), Culicoides chiopterus (2%) and Culicoides pulicaris (2%). Culicoides obsoletus/C. scoticus were most abundant during May-June and August-September. The majority of the species were active from March to November in 2008 and April to October in 2009. Species considered as potential vectors of bluetongue virus (BTV) occurred as far north as latitude 65°N (Kalix).
© 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2011-08-16 PubMed ID: 21944873DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.08.009Google 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.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • 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 examined the seasonal distribution and diversity of biting midges, a potential transmitter of bluetongue virus, in Sweden. This was instigated by the bluetongue outbreak in northern Europe in 2006 and was carried out over 2008 and 2009.

Research Methodology

  • The study used the Ondestepoort Veterinary Institute black light trap to catch Culicoides, the genus of midges that could potentially carry the bluetongue virus.
  • Sampling took place across 20 sites in 12 provinces in Sweden. They were carried out weekly over the course of 2008 and from March to December in 2009.

Research Findings

  • A total of 30,704 Culicoides were collected in 2008 and 32,252 in 2009.
  • The most plentiful species found was the Culicoides obsoletus/C. scoticus, which comprised 77% of total catches. These species are potential vectors of bluetongue virus (BTV).
  • Other species caught included Culicoides impunctatus (9%), Culicoides grisescens (3%), Culicoides punctatus (2%), Culicoides chiopterus (2%) and Culicoides pulicaris (2%).
  • Culicoides obsoletus/C. scoticus were most abundantly found during May-June and August-September.
  • Most species were active from March to November in 2008 and April to October in 2009.

Implication of Findings

  • The research identified that species potentially capable of transmitting the bluetongue virus (BTV) were found as far north as latitude 65°N (Kalix).
  • This data provides insight into the seasonal patterns of these midge populations, and in turn, the potential seasonality of bluetongue virus risk.
  • The findings could have implications for disease control measures in these regions.

Cite This Article

APA
Ander M, Meiswinkel R, Chirico J. (2011). Seasonal dynamics of biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae: Culicoides), the potential vectors of bluetongue virus, in Sweden. Vet Parasitol, 184(1), 59-67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.08.009

Publication

Veterinary parasitology
ISSN: 1873-2550
NlmUniqueID: 7602745
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 184
Issue: 1
Pages: 59-67

Researcher Affiliations

Ander, M
  • Department of Virology, Immunology and Parasitology, National Veterinary Institute, 751 89 Uppsala, Sweden.
Meiswinkel, R
    Chirico, J

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Biodiversity
      • Bluetongue / transmission
      • Bluetongue virus / physiology
      • Cattle
      • Ceratopogonidae / classification
      • Ceratopogonidae / physiology
      • Ceratopogonidae / virology
      • Demography
      • Female
      • Horses
      • Insect Vectors / physiology
      • Male
      • Seasons
      • Sheep
      • Species Specificity
      • Sweden

      Citations

      This article has been cited 29 times.
      1. Saminathan M, Singh KP, Khorajiya JH, Dinesh M, Vineetha S, Maity M, Rahman AF, Misri J, Malik YS, Gupta VK, Singh RK, Dhama K. An updated review on bluetongue virus: epidemiology, pathobiology, and advances in diagnosis and control with special reference to India. Vet Q 2020 Dec;40(1):258-321.
        doi: 10.1080/01652176.2020.1831708pubmed: 33003985google scholar: lookup
      2. . Bluetongue: control, surveillance and safe movement of animals. EFSA J 2017 Mar;15(3):e04698.
        doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2017.4698pubmed: 32625424google scholar: lookup
      3. Mignotte A, Garros C, Gardès L, Balenghien T, Duhayon M, Rakotoarivony I, Tabourin L, Poujol L, Mathieu B, Ibañez-Justicia A, Deniz A, Cvetkovikj A, Purse BV, Ramilo DW, Stougiou D, Werner D, Pudar D, Petrić D, Veronesi E, Jacobs F, Kampen H, Pereira da Fonseca I, Lucientes J, Navarro J, de la Puente JM, Stefanovska J, Searle KR, Khallaayoune K, Culverwell CL, Larska M, Bourquia M, Goffredo M, Bisia M, England M, Robin M, Quaglia M, Miranda-Chueca MÁ, Bødker R, Estrada-Peña R, Carpenter S, Tchakarova S, Boutsini S, Sviland S, Schäfer SM, Ozoliņa Z, Segliņa Z, Vatansever Z, Huber K. The tree that hides the forest: cryptic diversity and phylogenetic relationships in the Palaearctic vector Obsoletus/Scoticus Complex (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) at the European level. Parasit Vectors 2020 May 20;13(1):265.
        doi: 10.1186/s13071-020-04114-1pubmed: 32434592google scholar: lookup
      4. Ma J, Gao X, Liu B, Chen H, Xiao J, Wang H. Epidemiology and spatial distribution of bluetongue virus in Xinjiang, China. PeerJ 2019;7:e6514.
        doi: 10.7717/peerj.6514pubmed: 30809462google scholar: lookup
      5. Cuéllar AC, Jung Kjær L, Baum A, Stockmarr A, Skovgard H, Nielsen SA, Andersson MG, Lindström A, Chirico J, Lühken R, Steinke S, Kiel E, Gethmann J, Conraths FJ, Larska M, Smreczak M, Orłowska A, Hamnes I, Sviland S, Hopp P, Brugger K, Rubel F, Balenghien T, Garros C, Rakotoarivony I, Allène X, Lhoir J, Chavernac D, Delécolle JC, Mathieu B, Delécolle D, Setier-Rio ML, Venail R, Scheid B, Chueca MÁM, Barceló C, Lucientes J, Estrada R, Mathis A, Tack W, Bødker R. Monthly variation in the probability of presence of adult Culicoides populations in nine European countries and the implications for targeted surveillance. Parasit Vectors 2018 Nov 29;11(1):608.
        doi: 10.1186/s13071-018-3182-0pubmed: 30497537google scholar: lookup
      6. Pudar D, Petrić D, Allène X, Alten B, Ayhan N, Cvetkovikj A, Garros C, Goletić T, Gunay F, Hlavackova K, Ćupina AI, Kavran M, Lestinova T, Mathieu B, Mikov O, Pajović I, Rakotoarivony I, Stefanovska J, Vaselek S, Zuko A, Balenghien T. An update of the Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) checklist for the Balkans. Parasit Vectors 2018 Aug 13;11(1):462.
        doi: 10.1186/s13071-018-3051-xpubmed: 30103828google scholar: lookup
      7. Möhlmann TWR, Wennergren U, Tälle M, Favia G, Damiani C, Bracchetti L, Takken W, Koenraadt CJM. Community analysis of the abundance and diversity of biting midge species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in three European countries at different latitudes. Parasit Vectors 2018 Mar 27;11(1):217.
        doi: 10.1186/s13071-018-2792-xpubmed: 29587832google scholar: lookup
      8. Cuéllar AC, Kjær LJ, Kirkeby C, Skovgard H, Nielsen SA, Stockmarr A, Andersson G, Lindstrom A, Chirico J, Lühken R, Steinke S, Kiel E, Gethmann J, Conraths FJ, Larska M, Hamnes I, Sviland S, Hopp P, Brugger K, Rubel F, Balenghien T, Garros C, Rakotoarivony I, Allène X, Lhoir J, Chavernac D, Delécolle JC, Mathieu B, Delécolle D, Setier-Rio ML, Venail R, Scheid B, Chueca MÁM, Barceló C, Lucientes J, Estrada R, Mathis A, Tack W, Bødker R. Spatial and temporal variation in the abundance of Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in nine European countries. Parasit Vectors 2018 Feb 27;11(1):112.
        doi: 10.1186/s13071-018-2706-ypubmed: 29482593google scholar: lookup
      9. Blanda V, Blanda M, La Russa F, Scimeca R, Scimeca S, D'Agostino R, Auteri M, Torina A. Geo-statistical analysis of Culicoides spp. distribution and abundance in Sicily, Italy. Parasit Vectors 2018 Feb 1;11(1):78.
        doi: 10.1186/s13071-018-2658-2pubmed: 29391056google scholar: lookup
      10. Inumaru M, Murata K, Sato Y. Prevalence of avian haemosporidia among injured wild birds in Tokyo and environs, Japan. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2017 Dec;6(3):299-309.
        doi: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2017.09.007pubmed: 28971016google scholar: lookup
      11. Isberg E, Bray DP, Hillbur Y, Ignell R. Evaluation of Host-Derived Volatiles for Trapping Culicoides Biting Midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). J Chem Ecol 2017 Jul;43(7):662-669.
        doi: 10.1007/s10886-017-0860-xpubmed: 28674827google scholar: lookup
      12. Dubiec A, Podmokła E, Gustafsson L. Intra-individual changes in haemosporidian infections over the nesting period in great tit females. Parasitol Res 2017 Sep;116(9):2385-2392.
        doi: 10.1007/s00436-017-5540-9pubmed: 28668984google scholar: lookup
      13. White SM, Sanders CJ, Shortall CR, Purse BV. Mechanistic model for predicting the seasonal abundance of Culicoides biting midges and the impacts of insecticide control. Parasit Vectors 2017 Mar 27;10(1):162.
        doi: 10.1186/s13071-017-2097-5pubmed: 28347327google scholar: lookup
      14. Nielsen SA, Kristensen M. Delineation of Culicoides species by morphology and barcode exemplified by three new species of the subgenus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from Scandinavia. Parasit Vectors 2015 Mar 10;8:151.
        doi: 10.1186/s13071-015-0750-4pubmed: 25889579google scholar: lookup
      15. Pinior B, Brugger K, Köfer J, Schwermer H, Stockreiter S, Loitsch A, Rubel F. Economic comparison of the monitoring programmes for bluetongue vectors in Austria and Switzerland. Vet Rec 2015 May 2;176(18):464.
        doi: 10.1136/vr.102979pubmed: 25841165google scholar: lookup
      16. Nielsen SA, Banta G, Rasmussen AM, Skovgård H. Community analysis of biting midges (Culicoides Latr.) on livestock farms in Denmark. Parasitol Res 2014 Dec;113(12):4525-33.
        doi: 10.1007/s00436-014-4142-zpubmed: 25326377google scholar: lookup
      17. Brugger K, Rubel F. Characterizing the species composition of European Culicoides vectors by means of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification. Parasit Vectors 2013 Nov 22;6(1):333.
        doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-333pubmed: 24267276google scholar: lookup
      18. Charron MV, Kluiters G, Langlais M, Seegers H, Baylis M, Ezanno P. Seasonal and spatial heterogeneities in host and vector abundances impact the spatiotemporal spread of bluetongue. Vet Res 2013 Jun 19;44(1):44.
        doi: 10.1186/1297-9716-44-44pubmed: 23782421google scholar: lookup
      19. Helmer C, Eibach R, Tegtmeyer PC, Humann-Ziehank E, Ganter M. Survey of Schmallenberg virus (SBV) infection in German goat flocks. Epidemiol Infect 2013 Nov;141(11):2335-45.
        doi: 10.1017/S0950268813000290pubmed: 23507373google scholar: lookup
      20. Kaufmann C, Steinmann IC, Hegglin D, Schaffner F, Mathis A. Spatio-temporal occurrence of Culicoides biting midges in the climatic regions of Switzerland, along with large scale species identification by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Parasit Vectors 2012 Oct 31;5:246.
        doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-5-246pubmed: 23111100google scholar: lookup
      21. Lassen SB, Nielsen SA, Kristensen M. Identity and diversity of blood meal hosts of biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae: Culicoides Latreille) in Denmark. Parasit Vectors 2012 Jul 23;5:143.
        doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-5-143pubmed: 22824422google scholar: lookup
      22. Pérez JM, García-Ballester JA, López-Olvera JR, Serrano E. Monitoring bluetongue virus vectors in Andalusia (SW Europe): Culicoides species composition and factors affecting capture rates of the biting midge Culicoides imicola. Parasitol Res 2012 Sep;111(3):1267-75.
        doi: 10.1007/s00436-012-2961-3pubmed: 22610444google scholar: lookup
      23. Barros SC, Maroco D, Henriques AM, Costa ML, Alves A, Ramos F, Duarte A, Fagulha T, Varanda IC, Santos FAD, Ferreira AC, Barahona MJ, Carvalho PM, Orvalho M, Duarte MD. Fatal Bluetongue Virus Serotype 3 Infection in Female Dogs: A Case Report from Alentejo, Portugal, 2024. Viruses 2025 Jan 24;17(2).
        doi: 10.3390/v17020159pubmed: 40006914google scholar: lookup
      24. Barros SC, Henriques AM, Ramos F, Luís T, Fagulha T, Magalhães A, Caetano I, Abade Dos Santos F, Correia FO, Santana CC, Duarte A, Villalba R, Duarte MD. Emergence of Bluetongue Virus Serotype 3 in Portugal (2024). Viruses 2024 Nov 28;16(12).
        doi: 10.3390/v16121845pubmed: 39772155google scholar: lookup
      25. Bielański W. Afro-Palaearctic migrant birds rid themselves of haemoparasite infections when breeding in the temperate zone. Sci Rep 2024 Nov 15;14(1):28114.
        doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-78839-9pubmed: 39548179google scholar: lookup
      26. Jones W, Menon PNK, Qvarnström A. Location and timing of infection drives a sex-bias in Haemoproteus prevalence in a hole-nesting bird. Parasitology 2024 Jul;151(8):875-883.
        doi: 10.1017/S0031182024001021pubmed: 39428850google scholar: lookup
      27. Ayele BA, Ayele A, Molla W, Molla AB, Birhan M, Ibrahim SM, Dessalegn B, Kenubih A, Gessese AT, Kinde MZ, Dagnaw GG, Fenta MD, Mulatu T, Tesfaye H, Bitew M, Tarekegn ZS, Dejene H. Identifications, spatial distribution, and seasonal occurrence of Culicoides in selected districts of Northwest Ethiopia. Sci Rep 2024 Oct 7;14(1):23267.
        doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-74524-zpubmed: 39370423google scholar: lookup
      28. Medrouh B, Abdelli A, Belkessa S, Ouinten Y, Brahimi M, Hakem A, Kernif T, Singer SM, Ziam H, Tsaousis AD, Jokelainen P, Savini G, Pasolli E. Seroprevalence and risk factors of bluetongue virus in domestic cattle, sheep, goats and camels in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Vet Q 2024 Dec;44(1):1-12.
        doi: 10.1080/01652176.2024.2396118pubmed: 39210745google scholar: lookup
      29. Daif S, El Berbri I, Fassi Fihri O. First molecular evidence of potential Culicoides vectors implicated in bluetongue virus transmission in Morocco. Parasit Vectors 2024 Feb 19;17(1):71.
        doi: 10.1186/s13071-024-06167-ypubmed: 38374115google scholar: lookup
      Subscribe to our newsletter
      Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.