Culicoides biting midges at the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa.
Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are responsible for the transmission of a large number of pathogens to livestock and wild animals. In this study the presence of the genus, using light traps based at four different sites within the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, was investigated during 2002-2004. In total, 37 species were recorded, including large numbers of Culicoides imicola Kieffer, 1913, which is responsible for the transmission of economically important arboviruses in South Africa, Europe, Middle and Far East. These results are discussed with reference to the wider Culicoides fauna in the Onderstepoort area of South Africa, their vector competence as well as biosecurity at the National Zoological Gardens.
Labuschagne
K
K
Agricultural Research Council, Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Division of Entomology, Private Bag X05, Onderstepoort, 0110 South Africa. labuschagnek@arc.agric.za
Gerber
L J
LJ
Espie
I
I
Carpenter
S
S
D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo / Q000469:parasitology; D002519:Ceratopogonidae / Q000145:classification* / Q000254:growth & development*; D004199:Disease Vectors / Q000145:classification; D005260:Female; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development; D008297:Male; D008924:Mite Infestations / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010802:Phylogeny; D011156:Population Density; D012621:Seasons; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D013045:Species Specificity