Culicoides spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) associated with cattle in St. Croix, Virgin Islands, and their relevance to bluetongue virus.
Potential biting midge vectors were collected at two sites on St. Croix as part of an ongoing study on the epidemiology of bluetongue viruses in the Caribbean region. Six species of Culicoides were trapped in a New Jersey light trap (mean = 173 biting midges/trap night) near cattle on a dairy farm. C. furens (Poey) and C. insignis Lutz were the predominant phototactic species, and C. pusillus Lutz, C. trilineatus Fox, C. jamaicensis Edwards, and C. phlebotomus (Williston) were collected less frequently. Four species of Culicoides were aspirated from bovine bait during the morning and evening crepuscular periods with a modified car vacuum. C. furens was aspirated primarily from the ventral portions of the bovine host, whereas C. insignis and C. pusillus were collected principally from the dorsum, and C. trilineatus was collected equally from all aspects. At least one individual of each of these aspirated species was blood engorged. Because C. furens, C. insignis, C. pusillus, and C. trilineatus were most abundant and feed on cattle, they deserve further consideration as vectors of bluetongue virus on St. Croix.
Greiner
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Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610.
Knausenberger
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WI
Messersmith
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Kramer
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WL
Gibbs
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EP
D000818:Animals; D001819:Bluetongue / Q000635:transmission*; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission*; D002519:Ceratopogonidae / Q000502:physiology*; D004478:Ectoparasitic Infestations / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000502:physiology*; D014767:United States Virgin Islands