The use of a membrane feeding technique to determine the infection rate of Culicoides imicola (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) for 2 bluetongue virus serotypes in South Africa.
Culicoides spp. in the Lowveld of the northern Transvaal, Republic of South Africa, were fed bluetongue virus serotypes 3 and 6 and African horsesickness virus serotype 1 through latex and chicken skin membranes. After an incubation period of 10 days at 25-27 degrees C, the infection rate of C. imicola for bluetongue virus serotypes 3 and 6 was established at 31% and 24% respectively. No African horsesickness virus could be recovered. The membrane feeding technique and handling procedures proved to be suitable for field studies.
Venter
G J
GJ
Veterinary Research Institute, Onderstepoort, Republic of South Africa.
Hill
E
E
Pajor
I T
IT
Nevill
E M
EM
D000356:African Horse Sickness Virus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000818:Animals; D001820:Bluetongue virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002519:Ceratopogonidae / Q000382:microbiology*; D007303:Insect Vectors; D012703:Serotyping; D013019:South Africa