title: Influence of environmental and meteorological factors on the biting activity of Leptoconops noei and Leptoconops irritans (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Italy.
abstract: The flight activity of Leptoconops irritans and L. noei was studied on the Jonian-Lucanian coast of southern Italy, using CO2-baited traps. The flight of the females lasted from 6:00 a.m. to 8:40 p.m., with L. irritans being active in the morning hours while L. noei peaked around 6:00 p.m. Based on a stepwise regression analysis, temperature, RH, solar radiation, trap proximity to larval habitats, and the time of the day seemed to have little influence on the biting cycle of the 2 biting midges. Only a shift in wind direction appeared to influence female dispersion, resulting into population fluctuations of both species.
authors.affiliation: Medical and Veterinary Entomology, Agricultural and Environment Centre "G. Nicoli," Via Argini Nord 3351, 40014 Crevalcore, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carrieri
authors.forename: Eustachio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Montemurro
authors.forename: Salvatore Vito
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Valentino
authors.forename: Romeo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bellini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002519:Ceratopogonidae / Q000502:physiology*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000502:physiology*; D011156:Population Density; D014919:Wind