Distribution of Culicoides in Greece.
Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) were trapped between 1999 and 2004 at 122 locations in mainland Greece and on most of the larger Aegean and Ionian islands, using OVI light traps, in order to determine the distribution and seasonal activity of bluetongue virus vectors and other Culicoides species. Thirty-nine Culicoides species were identified, six of which (C. furcillatus, C. impunctatus, C. paolae, C. pictipennis, C. riethi, and C. scoticus) were identified for the first time in Greece. Two of these (C. impunctatus and C. scoticus) may be of veterinary importance due to their role as vectors of bluetongue virus and related orbiviruses. In addition, C. imicola was detected for the first time in mainland Greece.
Patakakis
Michael J
MJ
Parasitology Department, Ministry for Rural Development and Food, Athens Centre of Veterinary Institutes, 25 Neapoleos str Ag Paraskevi, 153 10 Athens, Greece.
Papazahariadou
Margarita
M
Wilson
Anthony
A
Mellor
Philip S
PS
Frydas
Stavros
S
Papadopoulos
Orestis
O
D000818:Animals; D044822:Biodiversity; D001819:Bluetongue / Q000635:transmission; D001820:Bluetongue virus; D002417:Cattle; D002519:Ceratopogonidae; D006041:Goats; D006115:Greece; D007303:Insect Vectors; D012621:Seasons; D012756:Sheep