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Groschupp S, Kampen H, Werner D. Winter activity of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) inside and outside stables in Germany. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39187966 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
Culicoides biting midge species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) of the Obsoletus Group and the Pulicaris Complex are considered the major vectors of bluetongue and Schmallenberg viruses in Europe. Overwintering strategies of these arboviruses are controversially discussed, with the ongoing activity of vector species and a non-disrupted transmission cycle during winter being a plausible explanation. Although data on Culicoides winter activity are relatively scant, a seasonal vector-free period (SVFP), during which adult Culicoides are not or hardly active, is questionable. To determine winter activity and define SVFPs according to the EU Commission Regulation No 1266/2007, adult Culicoides were trapped weekly with UV-light traps from October to April 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 inside and outside stables on 16 farms throughout Germany. Temperature measurements were taken regularly at each trapping site since the temperature is a known driver of biting midge activity. In 960 indoor and outdoor catches, 32,377 Culicoides were trapped, with 90.9% of them belonging to the Obsoletus Group, 6.1% to the Pulicaris Complex and 3.0% to 'other Culicoides' according to morphological identification. The majority (61.3%) of Culicoides were trapped indoors, with substantial numbers of specimens collected from October to December, in March and in April, and only a few or no specimens in January and February. Obsoletus Group biting midges were active indoors for almost the entire winter. Outdoors, Culicoides numbers decreased from October to December, few or no specimens were caught from January to March, and high numbers were captured in April. Of the collected Culicoides, 2028 were blood-fed, of which 94.6% were trapped in the stables. The indoor SVFP, although calculated for blood-fed instead of parous females, lasted for almost 4 months (late November until mid-March) in winter 2019/2020 and 2 months (January and February) in winter 2020/2021. The outdoor SVFPs covered almost the entire study period in both winters, with slight differences between the onsets and the ends. The Culicoides activity significantly depended on temperature. Specimens of the Obsoletus Group were caught at an average temperature of 7.4°C (minimum 0.3°C) and of the Pulicaris Complex at an average temperature of 10.3°C (minimum 1.2°C). These temperatures were reached inside the stables over more extended periods than outside. The average indoor temperatures were 1.2 K higher than the average outdoor temperatures, although absolute temperature differences of up to 9.0 K were recorded. Based on Culicoides activity, the results of the present study indicate an almost continuous potential for virus transmission in winter within livestock houses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Groschupp
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Müncheberg, Germany
| | - Helge Kampen
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Infectology, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Doreen Werner
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Müncheberg, Germany
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Groschupp S, Kampen H, Werner D. Occurrence of putative Culicoides biting midge vectors (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) inside and outside barns in Germany and factors influencing their activity. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:307. [PMID: 37653421 PMCID: PMC10472570 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05920-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND After several years without bluetongue disease, a ruminant illness caused by Culicoides-borne bluetongue virus (BTV), two new autochthonous cases were reported in 2018 in Germany. By contrast, Schmallenberg virus (SBV), another Culicoides-borne virus pathogenic to ruminants, has continuously circulated in Germany since its first emergence in 2011. The disease outbreaks have triggered numerous studies on the biology of the Culicoides vectors, but many ecological details are still obscure. METHODS Culicoides biting midge species were collected with UV-light traps on 10 farms in Germany, with one trap inside and one trap outside barns on each of the farms. Traps were run once a week for 24 h from January to December 2019. Collected biting midges were morphologically identified, counted and statistically evaluated, with a focus on the Obsoletus Group and the Pulicaris Complex of the ceratopogonid genus Culicoides, which are believed to contain the major virus vectors. Temperature and relative humidity recorded at each trap were linked to the quantity of caught Culicoides. Correlations between relative Culicoides abundance and presence of livestock or type of husbandry were also investigated. RESULTS A total of 38,886 Culicoides biting midges were trapped, with most of them belonging to the Obsoletus Group (51.0%) and the Pulicaris Complex (38.8%). The majority of captured specimens were collected in traps inside the barns. Obsoletus Group individuals were caught from late January to the last week of December while Pulicaris Complex individuals were captured from the end of March to early December. The lowest average temperatures at which members of the two groups were collected were 10.7 °C and 12.8 °C, respectively. While temperature had a statistically significant effect on the activity of both the Obsoletus Group and the Pulicaris Complex, relative humidity only significantly affected the activity of the latter. The presence of livestock significantly influenced the number of captured Obsoletus Group, but not of Pulicaris Complex specimens. Inside the barns, no statistical difference was found between numbers of caught Obsoletus Group and Pulicaris Complex specimens in livestock holdings with deep litter and manure scraper or slatted floor husbandry systems. CONCLUSIONS The almost year-round presence of Obsoletus Group biting midges and the demonstrated high relative abundance of other potential Culicoides vector species inside barns suggest a high risk of indoor virus transmission to ruminants should BTV or SBV circulate locally. Appropriate structural, organisational and vector control measures to reduce biting midge exposure should be implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Groschupp
- Research Area 2 “Landscape Use and Governance”, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalder Straße 84, 15374 Müncheberg, Germany
| | - Helge Kampen
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut–Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Doreen Werner
- Research Area 2 “Landscape Use and Governance”, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalder Straße 84, 15374 Müncheberg, Germany
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Sana K, Soufien S, Thameur BH, Liana T, Massimo S, Kaouther G, Raja G, Haikel H, Bassem BHM, Wiem K, Monia L, Ameni BS, Naouel F, Anissa D, Mehdi BA, Sarah T, Chedia S, Giovanni S, Salah H. Risk-based serological survey of bluetongue and the first evidence of bluetongue virus serotype 26 circulation in Tunisia. Vet Med Sci 2022; 8:1671-1682. [PMID: 35510402 PMCID: PMC9297743 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bluetongue (BT), a vector-borne disease of wild and domestic ruminants, is responsible for severe economic losses in flocks. To reduce this impact, a surveillance and control plan was implemented in Tunisia. However, the epidemiological situation of BT remains incompletely understood, especially for the circulating serotypes. OBJECTIVE The aim of this survey was to determine the seroprevalence, to identify the circulating serotypes and to identify the associated risk factors for bluetongue virus (BTV) circulation in Tunisia using risk-based sampling (RBS). METHODS A total of 3314 blood samples were randomly collected from 67 sectors using risk-based sampling and screened by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (c-ELISAs). Out of the 1330 positive samples, 200 samples were analysed by serum neutralization test (SNT) to identify circulating BTV serotypes. RESULTS Of 3314 sera, 1330 were c-ELISA-positive (40.1%) for antibodies against the BTV structural protein VP7. The result of SNT showed the presence of BTV-1, BTV-2, BTV-3, BTV-4 and, for the first time in Tunisia, BTV-26. The logistic regression model revealed that older animals had nearly two times the odds of being infected with BTV compared to younger animals. Flocks with a history of BT were almost 1.5 times more likely to be at risk for contracting BTV infection. The flock size, housing indoors and intensive production system were significant protective factors. CONCLUSIONS High seroprevalence of BTV among sheep was highlighted in Tunisia. The neutralization test showed the presence of the following BTV serotypes: BTV-1, BTV-2, BTV-3, BTV-4 and, for the first time in Tunisia, BTV-26. Age, production system and flock size were important variables associated with BTV infection in sheep. This finding is crucial, as it will allow the adjustment of the BT control programme in Tunisia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalthoum Sana
- National Centre of Zoosanitary Vigilance, Ministère de L'agriculture et des Ressources Hydrauliques, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Sghaier Soufien
- Institut de la Recherche Vétérinaire de Tunisie, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Ben Hassine Thameur
- Direction Générale des Services Vétérinaires, Commissariat Régional au Développement Agricole de Nabeul, Nabeul, Tunisia
| | - Teodori Liana
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise Giuseppe Caporale, Teramo, Italy
| | - Spedicato Massimo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise Giuseppe Caporale, Teramo, Italy
| | - Guesmi Kaouther
- National Centre of Zoosanitary Vigilance, Ministère de L'agriculture et des Ressources Hydrauliques, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Gharbi Raja
- National Centre of Zoosanitary Vigilance, Ministère de L'agriculture et des Ressources Hydrauliques, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Hajlaoui Haikel
- National Centre of Zoosanitary Vigilance, Ministère de L'agriculture et des Ressources Hydrauliques, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Bel Haj Mohamed Bassem
- National Centre of Zoosanitary Vigilance, Ministère de L'agriculture et des Ressources Hydrauliques, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Khalfaoui Wiem
- National Centre of Zoosanitary Vigilance, Ministère de L'agriculture et des Ressources Hydrauliques, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Lachtar Monia
- National Centre of Zoosanitary Vigilance, Ministère de L'agriculture et des Ressources Hydrauliques, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Ben Salem Ameni
- National Centre of Zoosanitary Vigilance, Ministère de L'agriculture et des Ressources Hydrauliques, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Fatnassi Naouel
- National Centre of Zoosanitary Vigilance, Ministère de L'agriculture et des Ressources Hydrauliques, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Dhaouadi Anissa
- National Centre of Zoosanitary Vigilance, Ministère de L'agriculture et des Ressources Hydrauliques, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Ben Ali Mehdi
- National Centre of Zoosanitary Vigilance, Ministère de L'agriculture et des Ressources Hydrauliques, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Thabet Sarah
- Institut de la Recherche Vétérinaire de Tunisie, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Seghaier Chedia
- National Centre of Zoosanitary Vigilance, Ministère de L'agriculture et des Ressources Hydrauliques, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Savini Giovanni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise Giuseppe Caporale, Teramo, Italy
| | - Hammami Salah
- Service de Microbiologie, Immunologie et Pathologie Générale, École Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet, Tunisia Universitè de la Manouba, Manouba, Tunisia
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Kasičová Z, Schreiberová A, Kimáková A, Kočišová A. Blood meal analysis: host-feeding patterns of biting midges (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae, Culicoides Latreille) in Slovakia. Parasite 2021; 28:58. [PMID: 34283022 PMCID: PMC8336726 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2021058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Biting midges of the genus Culicoides are vectors of important pathogens affecting domestic and wild animals and have played a major role in the re-emergence of new outbreaks of bluetongue (BTV) and Schmallenberg (SBV) viruses in Europe. To determine vector-host specificity, trophic preference from blood meal analysis is of major importance in the surveillance of arthropod-borne diseases. Of 28,752 specimens collected, we identified 17 Culicoides species and investigated a total of 48 host sequences from the blood meals. Culicoides obsoletus/C. scoticus, C. dewulfi, C. pulicaris, C. lupicaris, C. punctatus, C. newsteadi, C. riethi, and C. furcillatus were found to feed on mammals (cattle, horses, and humans), birds (domestic chickens), small rodents (Apodemus flavicollis), and hares (Lepus europaeus). To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating trophic preferences of Culicoides spp. in Slovakia. This study demonstrated that Culicoides species are able to feed on domesticated host vertebrates as well as birds, rodents, and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Kasičová
- Department of Epizootiology, Parasitology and Protection of One Health, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice Komenského 73 041 81 Košice Slovak Republic
| | - Andrea Schreiberová
- Department of Epizootiology, Parasitology and Protection of One Health, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice Komenského 73 041 81 Košice Slovak Republic
| | - Andrea Kimáková
- Department of Epizootiology, Parasitology and Protection of One Health, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice Komenského 73 041 81 Košice Slovak Republic
| | - Alica Kočišová
- Department of Epizootiology, Parasitology and Protection of One Health, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice Komenského 73 041 81 Košice Slovak Republic
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Barceló C, Estrada R, Lucientes J, Miranda MA. A Mondrian matrix of seasonal patterns of Culicoides nulliparous and parous females at different latitudes in Spain. Res Vet Sci 2020; 129:154-163. [PMID: 32000016 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2020.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Insects from genus Culicoides (Diptera; Ceratopogonidae) transmit arboviruses such as Bluetongue virus (BTV); affecting wild and domestic ruminants. These insects are age graded for monitoring purposes in surveillance programs. Parous females (PF) are the only fraction of the entire population that could effectively transmit viruses in a subsequent blood meal. Data of the Spanish Entomosurveillance National Program from 2008 to 2010 were used to analyse the seasonal pattern of the nulliparous females (NF) and PF of the vector species Obsoletus complex, C. imicola, C. newsteadi and C. pulicaris. Latitude variation on the seasonal abundance patterns of PF was also analysed in trap sites spanning a North-South axis in mainland Spain. The weekly abundance of PF was always highest in summer. The peak of abundance mainly occurred between April and July except for C. imicola that was from September to November. The analysis of the latitudinal seasonal variation of PF in Spain showed that Northern provinces have absence of C. imicola while the Obsoletus species were more present in Northern areas. There were periods of the year were no individuals of any vector species were collected, which should be considered in order to calculate the Seasonally Vector-Free Period (SVFP). Culicoides newsteadi and C. pulicaris exhibited the highest population in Toledo, probably related to their inland preferences. These findings would be of interest for a better understanding of the periods of low and high risk of transmission of BTV in Spain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Barceló
- Applied zoology and animal conservation research group, Department of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), Ctra. Valldemossa Km 7.5, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
| | - Rosa Estrada
- Department of Animal Pathology, AgriFood Institute of Aragón (IA2), Veterinary Faculty, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Javier Lucientes
- Department of Animal Pathology, AgriFood Institute of Aragón (IA2), Veterinary Faculty, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Miguel A Miranda
- Applied zoology and animal conservation research group, Department of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), Ctra. Valldemossa Km 7.5, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
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Sanders CJ, Shortall CR, England M, Harrington R, Purse B, Burgin L, Carpenter S, Gubbins S. Long-term shifts in the seasonal abundance of adult Culicoides biting midges and their impact on potential arbovirus outbreaks. J Appl Ecol 2019; 56:1649-1660. [PMID: 31341330 PMCID: PMC6618056 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Surveillance of adult Culicoides biting midge flight activity is used as an applied ecological method to guide the management of arbovirus incursions on livestock production in Europe and Australia.To date the impact of changes in the phenology of adult vector activity on arbovirus transmission has not been defined. We investigated this at two sites in the UK, identifying 150,000 Culicoides biting midges taken from 2867 collections over a nearly 40 year timescale.Whilst we recorded no change in seasonal activity at one site, shifts in first adult appearance and last adult appearance increased the seasonal activity period of Culicoides species at the other site by 40 days over the time period.Lengthening of the adult activity season was driven by an increase in abundance of Culicoides and correlated with local increases in temperature and precipitation. This diversity in responses poses significant challenges for predicting future transmission and overwintering risk. Policy implications. Our analysis not only shows a dramatic and consistent increase in the adult active period of Culicoides biting midges, but also that this varies significantly between sites. This suggests broad-scale analyses alone are insufficient to understand the potential impacts of changes in climate on arbovirus vector populations. Understanding the impact of climate change on adult Culicoides seasonality and transmission of arboviruses requires the context of changes in a range of other local ecological drivers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Beth Purse
- Centre for Ecology and HydrologyWallingfordUK
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Yang D, Yang MS, Rhim H, Han JI, Oem JK, Kim YH, Lee KK, Lim CW, Kim B. Analysis of Five Arboviruses and Culicoides Distribution on Cattle Farms in Jeollabuk-do, Korea. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2018; 56:477-485. [PMID: 30419733 PMCID: PMC6243180 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2018.56.5.477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Arthropod-borne viruses (Arboviruses) are transmitted by arthropods such as Culicoides biting midges and cause abortion, stillbirth, and congenital malformation in ruminants, apparently leading to economic losses to farmers. To monitor the distribution of Culicoides and to determine their relationship with different environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, wind speed, and altitude of the farms) on 5 cattle farms, Culicoides were collected during summer season (May-September) in 2016 and 2017, and analyzed for identification of species and detection of arboviruses. About 35% of the Culicoides were collected in July and the collection rate increased with increase in temperature and humidity. The higher altitude where the farms were located, the more Culicoides were collected on inside than outside. In antigen test of Culicoides against 5 arboviruses, only Chuzan virus (CHUV) (2.63%) was detected in 2016. The Akabane virus (AKAV), CHUV, Ibaraki virus and Bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) had a positive rate of less than 1.8% in 2017. In antigen test of bovine whole blood, AKAV (12.96%) and BEFV (0.96%) were positive in only one of the farms. As a result of serum neutralization test, antibodies against AKAV were generally measured in all the farms. These results suggest that vaccination before the season in which the Culicoides are active is probably best to prevent arbovirus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daram Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Chonbuk National University, Iksan 54596, Korea
| | - Myeon-Sik Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Chonbuk National University, Iksan 54596, Korea
| | - Haerin Rhim
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Chonbuk National University, Iksan 54596, Korea
| | - Jae-Ik Han
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Chonbuk National University, Iksan 54596, Korea
| | - Jae-Ku Oem
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Chonbuk National University, Iksan 54596, Korea
| | - Yeon-Hee Kim
- Animal Disease Diagnostic Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Korea
| | - Kyoung-Ki Lee
- Animal Disease Diagnostic Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Korea
| | - Chae-Woong Lim
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Chonbuk National University, Iksan 54596, Korea
| | - Bumseok Kim
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Chonbuk National University, Iksan 54596, Korea
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Pudar D, Petrić D, Allène X, Alten B, Ayhan N, Cvetkovikj A, Garros C, Goletić T, Gunay F, Hlavackova K, Ćupina AI, Kavran M, Lestinova T, Mathieu B, Mikov O, Pajović I, Rakotoarivony I, Stefanovska J, Vaselek S, Zuko A, Balenghien T. An update of the Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) checklist for the Balkans. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:462. [PMID: 30103828 PMCID: PMC6088421 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3051-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prime significance of species belonging to the genus Culicoides Latreille, 1809 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) is their ability to transmit viruses such as bluetongue virus (BTV) to wild and domestic ruminants. Prior to 1998, BTV was considered exotic in Europe, but according to recent history of its outbreaks, it has become endemic in southern and eastern European countries circulating beyond its expected historical limits, into the Balkan region. The wind-borne long-distance dispersal of Culicoides spp. over water bodies and local spreading between farms emphasize the necessity of filling in the information gaps regarding vector species distribution. In most Balkan countries, data on Culicoides fauna and species distribution are lacking, or information is old and scarce. RESULTS During this study, 8586 specimens belonging to 41 species were collected. We present the first faunistic data on Culicoides species in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia. For other countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria and Croatia), all historical records were compiled for the first time and then expanded with our findings to various extents. In all countries, confirmed or suspected BTV vector species belonging to the subgenera Avaritia and Culicoides were collected. The total number of species sampled during our field collections was 20 in Bosnia and Herzegovina (15 new records), 10 in Bulgaria (2 new records), 10 in Croatia (5 new records), 13 in FYROM, 9 in Kosovo, 15 in Montenegro, and 28 in Serbia. Of these, 14 species were registered for the first time in this part of the Balkans. CONCLUSIONS This paper provides the first data about Culicoides fauna in FYROM, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia, as well as new records and an update on the checklists for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria and Croatia. These findings provide preliminary insights into the routes of BTV introduction and spreading within the Balkans, and present a valuable contribution to further research related to Culicoides-borne diseases in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dubravka Pudar
- Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Phytomedicine and Plant Protection, Laboratory for Medical and Veterinary Entomology, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Dušan Petrić
- Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Phytomedicine and Plant Protection, Laboratory for Medical and Veterinary Entomology, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Xavier Allène
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, F-34398 Montpellier, France
- ASTRE, University Montpellier, CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier, France
| | - Bulent Alten
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Ecology Division, VERG Laboratories, Hacettepe University, Beytepe-Ankara, Turkey
| | - Nazlı Ayhan
- Virology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille cedex 05, France
| | - Aleksandar Cvetkovikj
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia
| | - Claire Garros
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, F-34398 Montpellier, France
- ASTRE, University Montpellier, CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier, France
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, F-97490 Sainte Clotilde, Réunion
| | - Teufik Goletić
- Veterinary Faculty, Department of Zootechnics and Poultry, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Filiz Gunay
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Ecology Division, VERG Laboratories, Hacettepe University, Beytepe-Ankara, Turkey
| | - Kristyna Hlavackova
- Faculty of Science, Department of Parasitology, Charles University in Prague, 2 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Aleksandra Ignjatović Ćupina
- Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Phytomedicine and Plant Protection, Laboratory for Medical and Veterinary Entomology, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Mihaela Kavran
- Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Phytomedicine and Plant Protection, Laboratory for Medical and Veterinary Entomology, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Tereza Lestinova
- Faculty of Science, Department of Parasitology, Charles University in Prague, 2 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Bruno Mathieu
- Medicine Faculty, Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Pathology, University of Strasbourg, EA7292 Strasbourg, France
| | - Ognyan Mikov
- National Centre of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Laboratory of Experimental and Applied Parasitology, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Igor Pajović
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Montenegro, Podgorica, Montenegro
| | - Ignace Rakotoarivony
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, F-34398 Montpellier, France
- ASTRE, University Montpellier, CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier, France
| | - Jovana Stefanovska
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia
| | - Slavica Vaselek
- Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Phytomedicine and Plant Protection, Laboratory for Medical and Veterinary Entomology, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Almedina Zuko
- Veterinary Faculty, Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Thomas Balenghien
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, F-34398 Montpellier, France
- ASTRE, University Montpellier, CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier, France
- IAV Hassan II, MIMC unit, Rabat, Morocco
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Magliano A, Scaramozzino P, Ravagnan S, Montarsi F, DA Rold G, Cincinelli G, Moni A, Silvestri P, Carvelli A, DE Liberato C. Indoor and outdoor winter activity of Culicoides biting midges, vectors of bluetongue virus, in Italy. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2018; 32:70-77. [PMID: 28833269 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Revised: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Indoor and outdoor winter activity of Culicoides spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in central Italy was investigated in order to evaluate whether indoor activity might account for the overwintering of bluetongue virus, as has been hypothesized by some authors. Weekly Culicoides collections were performed at three farms over three consecutive winter seasons. At each farm, two black-light traps were operated simultaneously, indoors and outdoors. Culicoides were identified using both morphological and molecular means. The Culicoides obsoletus group accounted for 98.2% of sampled specimens. Within this group, C. obsoletus s.s. accounted for 56.8% and Culicoides scoticus for 43.2% of samples. Nulliparous, parous and engorged females were caught throughout the entire winter, both indoors and outdoors. At times, indoor catch sizes outnumbered outdoor collections. A significant inverse correlation was found between minimum temperature and the proportion of indoor Culicoides of the total midge catch, thus indicating that lower outdoor temperatures drive Culicoides midges indoors. High rates of engorged females were recorded indoors, possibly as the result of the propensity of C. obsoletus females to feed indoors. Higher proportions of parous females were found in indoor than in outdoor catches, indicating higher survival rates indoors and, consequently, higher vectorial capacities of midges sheltering indoors compared with those remaining outdoors.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Magliano
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana 'M. Aleandri', Rome, Italy
| | - P Scaramozzino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana 'M. Aleandri', Rome, Italy
| | - S Ravagnan
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Rome, Italy
| | - F Montarsi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Rome, Italy
| | - G DA Rold
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Rome, Italy
| | - G Cincinelli
- Azienda Unita' Sanitaria Locale (USL) Toscana Sud Est, Arezzo, Italy
| | - A Moni
- Azienda USL Toscana Nord Ovest, Massa Carrara, Italy
| | - P Silvestri
- Azienda Sanitaria Locale (ASL) Rieti, Rieti, Italy
| | - A Carvelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana 'M. Aleandri', Rome, Italy
| | - C DE Liberato
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana 'M. Aleandri', Rome, Italy
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10
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Versteirt V, Balenghien T, Tack W, Wint W. A first estimation of Culicoides imicola and Culicoides obsoletus/Culicoides scoticus seasonality and abundance in Europe. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.2903/sp.efsa.2017.en-1182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - T Balenghien
- Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II Madinat Al Irfane Morocco
| | | | - W Wint
- Environmental Research Group Oxford The United Kingdom
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