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Bulletin of entomological research2000; 90(6); 509-515; doi: 10.1017/s0007485300000626

Stabling and the protection of horses from Culicoides bolitinos (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), a recently identified vector of African horse sickness.

Abstract: The stabling of horses at night reportedly offers protection from African horse sickness and the most significant vector of the disease, Culicoides imicola Kieffer, has been shown to be exophilic. In certain high-lying regions of South Africa, however, C. bolitinos Meiswinkel, may be the major vector of the disease but its entry behaviour into stables is unknown. Accordingly, in the eastern Free State province of South Africa, light trap catches of C. bolitinos inside stables and outside, were compared. Two horse-baited stables, one traditional, and one modern, were used and combinations of stable (old/new), ceiling fans (on/off) and accessibility to Culicoides (stable doors open/closed or windows gauzed/ungauzed) were investigated as treatments. A total of 111,452 Culicoides of 26 species was collected on 60 trap nights; C. bolitinos was dominant (89.1% overall) with C. imicola second in abundance (2.9%). Outside catches were greater on warmer, drier, evenings but were suppressed by high wind speeds. Catches of C. imicola inside stables with doors open, or with windows ungauzed, were less than the numbers captured outside. In contrast, more C. bolitinos were caught in open stables than outside, i.e. open structures may protect horses from the exophilic C. imicola, but may increase attack rates from the endophilic C. bolitinos. The closing of doors and the gauzing of windows, however, led to a 14-fold reduction in numbers of C. bolitinos and C. imicola entering stables. A well-gauzed 'traditional' stable was as effective as a closed 'modern' stable. Ceiling fans had no suppressant effect.
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Publication Date: 2000-12-07 PubMed ID: 11107252DOI: 10.1017/s0007485300000626Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

The research explores how the stabling strategies for horses can provide protection against African horse sickness transmitted by the insect species, Culicoides bolitinos. Researchers compared the activity of this disease vector inside and outside horse stables in South Africa, examining various factors such as stable structure, use of ceiling fans, and options for limiting insect intrusion. They found that a closed and well-screened stable significantly reduces the number of these insects, thus potentially decreasing the risk of disease transmission.

Objective and Methodology of the study

  • The main aim of this research was to examine the impact of different stable environmental conditions on the presence of Culicoides bolitinos, a potential vector of African horse sickness in certain regions of South Africa.
  • The researchers utilized light traps to measure the levels of C. bolitinos both inside and outside two types of stables – traditional and modern. They tested a range of scenarios, varying factors such as structural aspects (old/new), use of ceiling fans (on/off) and the level of accessibility for Culicoides (doors open/closed, windows gauzed/ungauzed).

Findings

  • The study yielded a total count of 111,452 Culicoides, representing 26 species, with C. bolitinos making up the majority (89.1%). Interestingly, outside catches were higher during warm, dry evenings and were suppressed by high wind speeds.
  • Open stables proved more desirable for C. bolitinos with higher numbers caught inside compared to outside. Conversely, fewer C. imicola, another disease vector, were caught inside the open stables.
  • The researchers found that by keeping doors closed and windows gauzed, the number of both C. bolitinos and C. imicola entering the stables was reduced by 14 times.

Conclusion and Implications

  • The managerial actions of closing doors and gauzing windows had the most significant impact on reducing the insect vectors’ access to stables. These interventions could potentially lower the risk of horses contracting African horse sickness.
  • Interestingly, the use of ceiling fans did not have a suppressant effect. This adds value to the practical understanding of how best to protect stabled horses from the disease vectors.
  • The study also noted no substantial difference in effectiveness between a well-gauzed ‘traditional’ stable and a closed ‘modern’ stable, suggesting that modifications to existing structures could be a cost-effective method of disease prevention.

Cite This Article

APA
Meiswinkel R, Baylis M, Labuschagne K. (2000). Stabling and the protection of horses from Culicoides bolitinos (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), a recently identified vector of African horse sickness. Bull Entomol Res, 90(6), 509-515. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0007485300000626

Publication

Bulletin of entomological research
ISSN: 0007-4853
NlmUniqueID: 2984715R
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 90
Issue: 6
Pages: 509-515

Researcher Affiliations

Meiswinkel, R
  • Entomology Division, Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, P/Bag X05, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa. rudy@moon.ovi.ac.za
Baylis, M
    Labuschagne, K

      MeSH Terms

      • African Horse Sickness / prevention & control
      • African Horse Sickness / transmission
      • Animals
      • Diptera
      • Horses
      • Housing, Animal
      • Insect Vectors

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