title: The effect of high frequency sound on Culicoides numbers collected with suction light traps.
abstract: Culicoides midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), are involved in the transmission of various  pathogens that cause important diseases of livestock worldwide. The use of insect repellents  to reduce the attack rate of these insects on livestock could play an important role as part of  an integrated control programme against diseases transmitted by these midges. The objective  of this study was to determine whether high frequency sound has any repellent effect on  Culicoides midges. The number of midges collected with 220 V Onderstepoort white light  traps fitted with electronic mosquito repellents (EMRs), emitting 5-20 KHz multi-frequency  sound waves, was compared with that of two untreated traps. Treatments were rotated in two  replicates of a 4 x 4 randomised Latin square design. Although fewer midges were collected  in the two traps fitted with EMRs, the average number collected over eight consecutive nights  was not significantly different. The EMRs also had no influence on any of the physiological  groups of Culicoides imicola Kieffer or the species composition of the Culicoides population as  determined with light traps. The results indicate that high frequency sound has no repellent  effect on Culicoides midges. There is therefore no evidence to support their promotion or use  in the protection of animals against pathogens transmitted by Culicoides midges.
authors: Agricultural Research Council – Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Parasites, Vectors & Vector-borne Diseases, South Africa. venterg@arc.agric.za
authors: Gert J
authors: GJ
authors: Venter
authors: Karien
authors: K
authors: Labuschagne
authors: Solomon N B
authors: SN
authors: Boikanyo
authors: Liesl
authors: L
authors: Morey
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D002519:Ceratopogonidae / Q000502:physiology*; D007300:Insect Control / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011897:Random Allocation; D013016:Sound