title: Sugar-feeding status alters biting midge photoattraction.
abstract: The biting midge Culicoides sonorensis Wirth and Jones (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) transmits pathogens to both livestock and wildlife. Biting midge surveillance relies heavily on light traps for collection; however, little is known about the light spectra preferences of C. sonorensis midges. A light assay arena was constructed and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) of various light spectra were used as light sources to evaluate midge photoattraction. A comparison of responses to light spectra indicated the highest proportions of C. sonorensis were attracted to ultraviolet (UV) light and that midges differentiated 10-nm differences in wavelength. Stronger intensities of UV light resulted in greater attraction. Midges exhibited both sugar-seeking and escape behaviours under different conditions of sugar supplementation before and during the experiment. These behaviours occurred with lights of 355 nm and 365 nm in wavelength. Based on the results of this study, the attraction of C. sonorensis to light traps can be improved through the use of bright LEDs at 355 nm or 365 nm.
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, U.S.A.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Snyder
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, U.S.A.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cernicchiaro
authors.affiliation: Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, Agriculture Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Manhattan, KS, U.S.A.
authors.forename: L W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Cohnstaedt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D002519:Ceratopogonidae / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007300:Insect Control; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D010675:Pheromones / Q000378:metabolism*; D010775:Photic Stimulation
chemical_list: D010675:Pheromones; C010411:insect attractants
keywords: Culicoides; attraction; light-emitting diodes; sugar feeding; ultraviolet; vision