Publications

culicoids as vectors of schmallenberg virus.		0	22709978
arthropod surveillance programs: basic components, strategies, and analysis.	effective entomological surveillance planning stresses a careful consideration of methodology, trapping technologies, and analysis techniques. herein, the basic principles and technological components of arthropod surveillance plans are described, as promoted in the symposium "advancements in arthropod monitoring technology, techniques, and analysis" presented at the 58th annual meeting of the entomological society of america in san diego, ca. interdisciplinary examples of arthropod monitoring f ...	0	26543242
schmallenberg virus in culicoides spp. biting midges, the netherlands, 2011.	to determine which species of culicoides biting midges carry schmallenberg virus (sbv), we assayed midges collected in the netherlands during autumn 2011. sbv rna was found in c. scoticus, c. obsoletus sensu stricto, and c. chiopterus. the high proportion of infected midges might explain the rapid spread of sbv throughout europe.	0	23260040
schmallenberg virus in germany 2011-2014: searching for the vectors.	following the emergence of schmallenberg virus (sbv) in 2011, 21,397 culicoid biting midges (diptera: ceratopogonidae) from targeted and non-targeted sampling activities carried out during the summer months of 2011 to 2013 and in late 2014 in various regions in germany were analyzed for the virus by real-time rt-pcr. while no sbv was found in biting midges collected during 2011 and 2013, 2 out of 334 pools including 20 and 22 non-engorged females of the obsoletus complex sampled in 2012 tested p ...	0	26462800
the life-cycle and habits of culicoides impunctatus goetghebuer and culicoides obsoletus meigen, together with some observations on the life-cycle of culicoides odibilis austen, culicoides pallidicornis kieffer, culicoides cubita lis edwards and culicoides chiopterus meigen.		1947	20249294
an investigation into effects of gammexane on the larvae, pupae and adults of culicoides impunctatus goetghebuer and on the adults of culicoides obsoletus meigen.		1947	20249298
[the minimum effective dosages of repellents].	method of thin-layer chromatography was used to estimate threshold dosages of diethytoluamide, benzoylhexamethylene, dihexamethylenecarbamide, diethilamide of phenoxyacetic acid and dimethylphthalate for repelling of mosquitoes (aedes hexodontus, aedes vexans, aedes caspius caspius), simuliids (simulium venustrum), midges (culicoides obsoletus) and sand-flies (phlebotomus papatsi). maximum sensitivity to all the preparations studied was shown by sand-flies (phlebotomus papatasi, and most sensiti ...	1975	1190554
culicoides hypersensitivity in the horse: 15 cases in southwestern british columbia.	the investigation of a chronic, seasonal dermatitis of horses in southwestern british columbia is described. typically the history indicated an insidious onset, followed by a gradual progression in the severity of the signs each year. lesions appeared during the warmer months of the year and tended to regress during the winter. the clinical signs consisted of areas of pruritus and excoriation, affecting predominantly the ventral midline, mane and tailhead. in all cases corticosteroid therapy rel ...	1984	17422351
preferential landing and engorging sites of culicoides species landing on a horse in ireland.	an investigation of the landing and engorging sites of midges on a bait horse was made in ireland as part of a project examining the aetiology of sweet itch. ten species were recovered, seven of which engorged. culicoides obsoletus and c dewulfi were the most commonly represented, accounting for 89.9 per cent of midges landing and 90.5 per cent of midges engorging. only 4.69 per cent of midges attracted to the bait were c pulicaris. overall, the preferential landing sites for midges were along t ...	1984	6714213
rearing culicoides obsoletus (diptera, ceratopogonidae) on agar cultures of nematodes.	culicoides obsoletus midges were reared on a culture of nematodes in small petri dishes on an agar-based medium. at 25 c pupae were formed from 12 to 71 days after the eggs hatched. the efficiency of the method was low but, if improved, could be useful for investigating relationships between members of the avaritia subgenus. an unexplained feature was the almost total absence of females among these laboratory-reared midges.	1985	4011616
culicoides obsoletus (diptera: ceratopogonidae) as a causal agent of culicoides hypersensitivity (sweet itch) in british columbia.	six horses severely affected by a seasonal dermatitis similar in both histopathology and epidemiology to culicoides hypersensitivity (ch) and six unaffected or normal horses were inoculated intradermally with an extract of culicoides obsoletus (meigen), the most common culicoides in southwestern british columbia. affected horses developed large welts within 20 min after injection, representing an immediate (type i) reaction; welts were largest 24 h or more after challenge, indicating in addition ...	1991	1941937
african horse sickness and the overwintering of culicoides spp. in the iberian peninsula.	the presence at different latitudes and the seasonal distribution of two known or potential vectors of african horse sickness (ahs) virus--culicoides imicola and c. obsoletus--were investigated in the iberian peninsula using light trap collections. culicoides imicola was present as far north as 41 degrees n but not at 43 degrees n (asturias, spain), whereas c. obsoletus was found at all latitudes. in the northern part of the distribution of c. imicola, adults of this species were present for onl ...	1994	7949350
the spatial and seasonal distribution of african horse sickness and its potential culicoides vectors in morocco.	african horse sickness (ahs) is a vector-borne, infectious disease of equines that is caused by african horse sickness virus (ahsv). the only proven field vector is the biting midge culicoides imicola, although c. obsoletus and c. pulicaris are suspected vectors. there was a recent epizootic of ahs in iberia (1987-90) and morocco (1989-91). in 1994-45 a total of 3887 light trap samples were taken from twenty-two sites distributed over most of morocco. culicoides imicola was found to be very wide ...	1997	9330250
seasonal distribution and relationship to temperature and precipitation of the most abundant species of culicoides in five provinces of andalusia, spain.	a total of 177,344 culicoides specimens were collected from 3,109 light trap collections made weekly from august 1990 to october 1991 at 62 sites in the provinces of cádiz, córdoba, huelva, seville, and málaga, spain. reported for the 1st time are culicoides agathensis, culicoides bahrainensis, culicoides marcleti, and culicoides odiatus in the iberian peninsula, and culicoides scoticus in andalusia, spain. as a group, culicoides were active throughout the year. the 3 most common species were cu ...	1999	10480132
spatial distribution of culicoides species in portugal in relation to the transmission of african horse sickness and bluetongue viruses.	surveillance of culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) biting midge vectors was carried out at 87 sites within a 50 x 50 km grid distributed across portugal, using light trap collections at the time of peak midge abundance. culicoides imicola (kieffer) made up 66% of the 55 937 culicoides in these summer collections. it was highly abundant in the central eastern portion of portugal, between 37 degrees 5' n and 41 degrees 5' n, and in a band across to the lisbon peninsula (at around 38 degrees 5' ...	2003	12823834
presence in the balearic islands (spain) of the midges culicoides imicola and culicoides obsoletus group.	an outbreak of the livestock viral disease bluetongue (bt) was detected during september and october 2000 in the balearic islands, spain. due to the lack of information about the species of culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) reported in the affected area, six farms in majorca, four in minorca and one in ibiza were selected to carry out surveillance of culicoides adults using light traps. here, for the first time, we report the presence in the balearic islands of culicoides imicola keiffer, th ...	2003	12680925
association between the 2001-2003 bluetongue epidemic in lazio and tuscany (central italy) and distribution and abundance of culicoides imicola and c. obsoletus vectors.	during the epidemic of bluetongue (bt) in lazio and tuscany between 2001 and 2003, the distribution pattern of culicoides imicola did not always correspond either geographically or seasonally, with virus circulation. culicoides obsoletus was observed to be abundant, ubiquitous and active throughout the year. the geographical and seasonal distribution of bt virus (btv), c. imicola and c. obsoletus was compared. the territory of the two regions was divided into 30 cells each measuring 1 600 km(2). ...	2004	20419677
modelling the distributions of culicoides bluetongue virus vectors in sicily in relation to satellite-derived climate variables.	surveillance data from 268 sites in sicily are used to develop climatic models for prediction of the distribution of the main european bluetongue virus (btv) vector culicoides imicola kieffer (diptera: ceratopogonidae) and of potential novel vectors, culicoides pulicaris linnaeus, culicoides obsoletus group meigen and culicoides newsteadi austen. the models containing the 'best' climatic predictors of distribution for each species, were selected from combinations of 40 temporally fourier-process ...	2004	15189233
spatial distribution of bluetongue virus and its culicoides vectors in sicily.	during the recent mediterranean epizootic of bluetongue, an extensive programme of serological and vector (culicoides biting midges (diptera: ceratopogonidae)) surveillance was carried out across sicily. this paper presents the analysis of 911 light trap catches collected at the times of peak culicoides abundance (summer to autumn 2000-2002) in 269 sites, in order to produce detailed maps of the spatial distribution of the main european vector, culicoides imicola kieffer and that of potential no ...	2004	15189232
laboratory survival and blood feeding response of wild-caught culicoides obsoletus complex (diptera: ceratopogonidae) through natural and artificial membranes.	in late summer 2002, live wild-caught midges of the obsoletus complex were collected using blacklight traps placed at a horse stable in teramo (abruzzo, italy). for the survival study under laboratory conditions, 1,500 obsoletus complex midges were kept at 17 degrees c-25 degrees c and provided only with a sucrose solution. of these, 150 (10%) survived for at least 40 days and 3 midges were still alive after 92 days. in addition, 10 midges survived 10 days at 4 degrees c. for the feeding trials, ...	2004	20419679
differentiation of culicoides obsoletus and culicoides scoticus (diptera: ceratopogonidae) based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit i.	culicoides obsoletus (meigen) and culicoides scoticus downes & kettle (diptera: ceratopogonidae) are sibling species of the obsoletus group. this group comprises species of biting midges that are suspect vectors of bluetongue virus (family reoviridae, genus orbivirus, btv) and african horse sickness virus (family reoviridae, genus orbivirus, ahsv). btv and ahsv have been isolated several times from females of this group, although it has not been possible to determine the particular species harbo ...	2005	16465744
identification of culicoides obsoletus (diptera: ceratopogonidae) as a vector of bluetongue virus in central italy.	in 2001 and 2002, 235 outbreaks of bluetongue were observed in the lazio and tuscany regions of central italy. during entomological surveillance culicoides imicola, the main vector of bluetongue virus in the mediterranean region, was detected in only 14 of 28 municipalities affected by outbreaks; culicoides obsoletus was the most abundant species, contributing 83 per cent of individuals in catches, whereas c. imicola contributed only 2 per cent. in affected municipalities the maximum catch of c. ...	2005	15786918
culicoides and other biting flies on the palos verdes peninsula of southern california, and their possible relationship to equine dermatitis.	biting insects were sampled to investigate the cause(s) of dermatitis (putative culicoides hypersensitivity [chs]) on horses on the palos verdes peninsula, los angeles county, california. suction traps baited with co2 were operated at 5 sites from april 2002 to august 2003, supplemented by sampling from horses. six species of culicoides, 7 species of mosquitoes, and occasional simulium and stomoxys were collected in traps. culicoides sonorensis was the most common midge trapped, although c. obso ...	2005	15825768
bluetongue virus isolations from midges belonging to the obsoletus complex (culicoides, diptera: ceratopogonidae) in italy.	between july and september 2002 there were outbreaks of bluetongue on three sheep holdings in the communities of san gregorio magno (salerno, campania), laviano (salerno, campania) and carpino (foggia, puglia), and the involvement of bluetongue virus (btv) was confirmed serologically and virologically. the mortality rate was at least 11 per cent and involved btv serotype 2 (btv-2) and serotype 9 (btv-9). these holdings were also surveyed for the culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) vectors; app ...	2005	16055660
phylogeny of the subgenus culicoides and related species in italy, inferred from internal transcribed spacer 2 ribosomal dna sequences.	biting midges of the genus culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) include vectors for the economically important animal diseases, bluetongue (bt) and african horse sickness (ahs). in the mediterranean basin, these diseases are transmitted by four species of culicoides: the first three belong in the subgenus avaritia fox and are culicoides imicola kieffer, culicoides obsoletus (meigen) and culicoides scoticus downes and kettle; the fourth is culicoides pulicaris (linnaeus) in the subgenus culicoid ...	2006	16796616
oral susceptibility to bluetongue virus of culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) from the united kingdom.	oral susceptibility to infection with bluetongue virus (family resviridae, genus orbivirus, btv) serotype 9 was characterized in three palaearctic species of culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae). variation in susceptibility to infection by using a recently described feeding technique was shown to occur between populations of culicoides obsoletus meigen complex midges from different geographic regions of the united kingdom with virus infection rates varying from 0.4 to 7.4% of those tested. susc ...	2006	16506450
distribution and abundance of bluetongue vectors in sardinia: comparison of field data with prediction maps.	following the spread of bluetongue virus (btv) in many mediterranean countries during the last 5 years, presence of the main btv vector, culicoides imicola kieffer (diptera: ceratopogonidae), was recorded in the region, including the island of sardinia where the first bt epidemic originally started in the year 2000. several models were also designed based on climate variables and satellite imaging in order to predict the presence and abundance of btv vectors across europe. a 3 years entomologica ...	2006	16930274
spatial and temporal distribution of bluetongue and its culicoides vectors in bulgaria.	surveillance of culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) biting midges was carried out between 2001 and 2003, at 119 sites within a 50 x 50-km grid distributed across bulgaria, using light trap collections around the time of peak adult midge abundance. sentinel and ad hoc serum surveillance of hosts susceptible to bluetongue infection was carried out at around 300 sites between 1999 and 2003. following the initial incursion of bluetongue virus 9 (btv-9) into bourgas province in 1999, affecting 85 v ...	2006	17044886
molecular identification of western european species of obsoletus complex (diptera: ceratopogonidae) by an internal transcribed spacer-1 rdna multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay.	in southern europe, orbiviral diseases such as bluetongue (bt) have been assumed to have been largely transmitted by the classical afro-asian vector culicoides imicola kieffer (diptera: ceratopogonidae). recent outbreaks have occurred in regions where c. imicola is normally absent, supporting the theory that other species belonging to the obsoletus or pulicaris complexes may play a role in bt virus transmission. investigations of the ecology of the species within the former group are hampered by ...	2007	18047201
first occurrence of culicoides obsoletus-transmitted bluetongue virus epidemic in central europe.	in august 2006, bluetongue virus disease (btd) was detected for the first time in the netherlands, belgium, germany and northern france. serological tests as well as reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rt-pcr) proved the occurrence of bluetongue virus (btv) in diseased sheep and cattle, and the virus was identified as serotype 8. therefore, the search for possible vectors was immediately initiated in the outbreak region in germany. traps with automatically regulated ultraviolet ligh ...	2007	17385085
rapid diagnostic pcr assays for members of the culicoides obsoletus and culicoides pulicaris species complexes, implicated vectors of bluetongue virus in europe.	biting midges of the culicoides obsoletus meigen and culicoides pulicaris l. species complexes (diptera: ceratopogonidae) are increasingly implicated as vectors of bluetongue virus in palearctic regions. however, predicting epidemiological risk and the spread of disease is hampered because whilst vector competence of culicoides is expressed only in adult females, morphological identification of constituent species is only readily applicable to adult males and some species distinguishing traits h ...	2007	17478060
influence of biotic and abiotic factors on the distribution and abundance of culicoides imicola and the obsoletus complex in italy.	culicoides imicola kieffer (culicoides, diptera: ceratopogonidae) is the principal vector of bluetongue virus (btv) to ruminant livestock in southern europe. the secondary potential vectors are culicoides obsoletus (meigen) and culicoides scoticus downes and kettle of the obsoletus complex, culicoides pulicaris (linnaeus) of the pulicaris complex and culicoides dewulfi goetghebuer of the subgenus avaritia fox. between 2000 and 2004 >38,000 light-trap collections were made for culicoides across i ...	2007	17997043
butox 7.5 pour on: a deltamethrin treatment of sheep and cattle: pilot study of killing effects on culicoides species (ceratopogonidae).	topical treatment (at the neck and along the vertebral column) with deltamethrin (butox 7.5 pour on) of cattle (30 ml/400-kg body weight) and sheep (10 ml/60-kg body weight) was done to find out, whether the insecticide may reach in a sufficient dosage the legs, which are known to be the main biting site of culicoides specimens that are the vectors of the recently introduced bluetongue virus in central europe. at days 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 after treatment, some hair was cut off from the legs--cl ...	2008	18183424
assessing the risk of bluetongue to uk livestock: uncertainty and sensitivity analyses of a temperature-dependent model for the basic reproduction number.	since 1998 bluetongue virus (btv), which causes bluetongue, a non-contagious, insect-borne infectious disease of ruminants, has expanded northwards in europe in an unprecedented series of incursions, suggesting that there is a risk to the large and valuable british livestock industry. the basic reproduction number, r(0), provides a powerful tool with which to assess the level of risk posed by a disease. in this paper, we compute r(0) for btv in a population comprising two host species, cattle an ...	2008	17638649
endophily in culicoides associated with btv-infected cattle in the province of limburg, south-eastern netherlands, 2006.	culicoides were captured at a btv-infected dairy near gulpen in the province of limburg (south-east netherlands) between 14 september and 4 october 2006. onderstepoort-type blacklight traps were used to sample culicoides both inside and outside a partially open shed housing 11 cattle. a total of 28 light trap collections were made at the shed and yielded: 9371 culicoides representing 11 species; >90% comprised five potential vectors of btv and in order of abundance were culicoides obsoletus and ...	2008	18672304
modelling the distributions and spatial coincidence of bluetongue vectors culicoides imicola and the culicoides obsoletus group throughout the iberian peninsula.	data obtained by a spanish national surveillance programme in 2005 were used to develop climatic models for predictions of the distribution of the bluetongue virus (btv) vectors culicoides imicola kieffer (diptera: ceratopogonidae) and the culicoides obsoletus group meigen throughout the iberian peninsula. models were generated using logistic regression to predict the probability of species occurrence at an 8-km spatial resolution. predictor variables included the annual mean values and seasonal ...	2008	18498611
control techniques for culicoides biting midges and their application in the u.k. and northwestern palaearctic.	the recent emergence of bluetongue virus (reoviridae: orbivirus) (btv) in northern europe, for the first time in recorded history, has led to an urgent need for methods to control the disease caused by this virus and the midges that spread it. this paper reviews various methods of vector control that have been employed elsewhere and assesses their likely efficacy for controlling vectors of btv in northern europe. methods of controlling culicoides spp. (diptera: ceratopogonidae) have included: (a ...	2008	18816267
bluetongue epidemiology in the european union.	bluetongue (bt) is a reportable disease of considerable socioeconomic concern and of major importance in the international trade of animals and animal products. before 1998, bt was considered an exotic disease in europe. from 1998 through 2005, at least 6 bt virus strains belonging to 5 serotypes (btv-1, btv-2, btv-4, btv-9, and btv-16) were continuously present in the mediterranean basin. since august 2006, btv-8 has caused a severe epizootic of bt in northern europe. the widespread recrudescen ...	2008	18394269
spatial and temporal evolution of bluetongue virus in wild ruminants, spain.	we confirmed the emergence of bluetongue virus (btv) in 5 wild ruminant species in spain. btv seroprevalence was high and dispersed with time, with a south-to-north gradient. our results suggest a complex epidemiology of btv and underline the need for additional research on wildlife in europe.	2008	18507912
the phenology and population dynamics of culicoides spp. in different ecosystems in the netherlands.	the netherlands has enjoyed a relatively free state of vector-borne diseases of economic importance for more than one century. emerging infectious diseases may change this situation, threatening the health of humans, domestic livestock and wildlife. in order to be prepared for the potential outbreak of vector-borne diseases, a study was undertaken to investigate the distribution and seasonal dynamics of candidate vectors of infectious diseases with emphasis on bluetongue vectors (culicoides spp. ...	2008	18639947
a physiological time analysis of the duration of the gonotrophic cycle of anopheles pseudopunctipennis and its implications for malaria transmission in bolivia.	the length of the gonotrophic cycle varies the vectorial capacity of a mosquito vector and therefore its exact estimation is important in epidemiological modelling. because the gonotrophic cycle length depends on temperature, its estimation can be satisfactorily computed by means of physiological time analysis.	2008	18655724
the culicoides 'snapshot': a novel approach used to assess vector densities widely and rapidly during the 2006 outbreak of bluetongue (bt) in the netherlands.	a novel method was developed and implemented during the recent outbreak of bluetongue (bt) in sheep and cattle in the netherlands to obtain rapidly a 'snapshot' of culicoides vector densities at the national level. the country was divided into 110 raster cells, each measuring 20 km x 20 km; within 106 of these cells, a farm was selected with a minimum of 10 cattle and sampled for culicoides for one night only using the onderstepoort-type blacklight trap. prior to deployment of the light traps in ...	2008	18657871
bluetongue virus serotype 8 reemergence in germany, 2007 and 2008.	reemerging bluetongue virus serotype 8 (btv-8) in germany was detected first in may 2007 in a sentinel cow and in february 2008 in an export heifer. reemergence was confirmed by retesting the samples, experimental inoculation, fingerprinting analysis, and virus isolation. overwintering of btv-8 and continuous low-level infections are assumed.	2008	18760009
estimating the temporal and spatial risk of bluetongue related to the incursion of infected vectors into switzerland.	the design of veterinary and public health surveillance systems has been improved by the ability to combine geographical information systems (gis), mathematical models and up to date epidemiological knowledge. in switzerland, an early warning system was developed for detecting the incursion of the bluetongue disease virus (bt) and to monitor the frequency of its vectors. based on data generated by this surveillance system, gis and transmission models were used in order to determine suitable seas ...	2008	18922155
the effect of a topical insecticide containing permethrin on the number of culicoides midges caught near horses with and without insect bite hypersensitivity in the netherlands.	insect bite hypersensitivity (ibh) in horses is most likely caused by culicoides species, although other insects may also play a role. until now no effective cure has been found for this condition, although numerous therapeutic and preventive measures have been used to control insect hypersensitivity. one such method is to apply a topical insecticide to horses. in this study, the effect of a topical insecticide containing permethrin (3.6%) was examined in seven pairs of horses. the horses were p ...	2008	18975624
outbreak of bluetongue disease (btd) in germany and the danger for europe.	in august 2006, the blue tongue virus (btv-type south africa serotype 8) was detected for the first time in cattle blood probes in the netherlands, immediately followed by cases in belgium and in cattle on german farms, which were situated close to aachen at the border to those countries. within less than 2 months the disease spread eastwards crossing the rhine, southwards to luxemburg and to northern france. at the end of the year 2006, nearly 1,000 farms were affected in germany. catches on tw ...	2008	19030889
genetic characterization of toggenburg orbivirus, a new bluetongue virus, from goats, switzerland.	a novel bluetongue virus (btv) termed toggenburg orbivirus (tov) was detected in goats from switzerland by using real-time reverse transcription-pcr. cdna corresponding to the complete sequence of 7 of 10 double-stranded rna segments of the viral genome was amplified by pcr and cloned into a plasmid vector. five clones for each genome segment were sequenced to determine a consensus sequence. blast analysis and dendrogram construction showed that tov is closely related to btv, although some genom ...	2008	19046507
phylogenetic analysis indicates that culicoides dewulfi should not be considered part of the culicoides obsoletus complex.	analysis of dna sequence data has proven invaluable for defining the relationships among taxa, as well as resolving their evolutionary histories. here, we analyzed dna sequence variation of one mitochondrial gene (coi) and two nuclear regions (itsi and ii) to clarify the phylogenetic position of culicoides dewulfi, a midge species widely spread in europe and a suspected vector for bluetongue virus. various authors have described c. dewulfi either as part of the culicoides obsoletus sensu lato co ...	2009	19063759
feeding patterns of biting midges of the culicoides obsoletus and culicoides pulicaris groups on selected farms in brandenburg, germany.	host feeding patterns of engorged sibling species of the culicoides obsoletus and culicoides pulicaris groups captured during three nights on two selected farms maintaining either cattle, sheep, horses, and pigs (seedorf, brandenburg) or cattle, sheep, moufflons, and red and fallow deer (paulinenaue, brandenburg) were determined by polymerase chain reaction amplification using conserved primers and sets of species-specific primers derived from vertebrates mitochondrial cytochrome b. out of a tot ...	2009	19308450
identification, expression and characterisation of a major salivary allergen (cul s 1) of the biting midge culicoides sonorensis relevant for summer eczema in horses.	salivary proteins of culicoides biting midges are thought to play a key role in summer eczema (se), a seasonal recurrent allergic dermatitis in horses. the present study describes the identification, expression and clinical relevance of a candidate allergen of the north american midge culicoides sonorensis. immunoblot analysis of midge saliva revealed a 66 kda protein (cul s 1) that was bound by ige from several se-affected (se+) horses. further characterisation by fragmentation, mass spectromet ...	2009	18708061
an investigation on the culicoides species composition at seven sites in southern switzerland.	in the past decade, there have been regular outbreaks of bluetongue (bt) in many parts of europe. owing to the presence of bt disease and its vectors in countries adjacent to switzerland, an initial entomological survey was conducted in 2003, which established the presence of several midges of the genus culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae). subsequently, a sentinel herd monitoring system was established with the primary entomological aim being the determination and further study of culicoides p ...	2009	19493190
ecological correlates of bluetongue virus in spain: predicted spatial occurrence and its relationship with the observed abundance of the potential culicoides spp. vector.	using data from bluetongue (bt) outbreaks caused by viral serotype 4 (btv-4) in spain during 2004-2005, a predictive model for btv-4 occurrence in peninsular spain was developed. an autologistic regression model was employed to estimate the relationships between btv-4 presence and bioclimatic-related and host-availability-related variables. in addition, the observed abundances of the main potential culicoides vectors during 2004-2005, namely culicoides imicola, culicoides obsoletus group, and sp ...	2009	18667341
monitoring of putative vectors of bluetongue virus serotype 8, germany.	to identify the vectors of bluetongue virus (btv) in germany, we monitored culicoides spp. biting midges during april 2007-may 2008. molecular characterization of batches of midges that tested positive for btv suggests c. obsoletus sensu stricto as a relevant vector of bluetongue disease in central europe.	2009	19788820
adaptive strategies of african horse sickness virus to facilitate vector transmission.	african horse sickness virus (ahsv) is an orbivirus that is usually transmitted between its equid hosts by adult culicoides midges. in this article, we review the ways in which ahsv may have adapted to this mode of transmission. the ahsv particle can be modified by the ph or proteolytic enzymes of its immediate environment, altering its ability to infect different cell types. the degree of pathogenesis in the host and vector may also represent adaptations maximising the likelihood of successful ...	2009	19094921
bluetongue disease in germany (2007-2008): monitoring of entomological aspects.	in the summer of 2006, a bluetongue epidemic started in the border area of belgium, the netherlands, and germany, spread within 2 years over large areas of western and central europe, and caused substantial losses in farm ruminants. especially sheep and cattle were severely affected, leading to a case-fatality ratio of nearly 40% in sheep (conraths et al., emerg inf dis 15(3):433-435, 2009). the german federal ministry of food, agriculture, and consumer protection (bmelv) established a countrywi ...	2009	19322587
the european vectors of bluetongue virus: are there species complexes, single species or races in culicoides obsoletus and c. pulicaris detectable by sequencing its-1, its-2 and 18s-rdna?	when studying the vectorship of culicoides species during the outbreak of bluetongue disease (btd) in central europe, the question arose whether the most common species and additionally proven vectors of btv (c. obsoletus and c. pulicaris) are definitive species or do they belong to so-called complexes, since the determination based on morphological criteria is not very significant and knowledge on the life cycles is poor or even absent. therefore, the present molecular biological study on their ...	2009	19326144
entomological survey on vectors of bluetongue virus in northrhine-westfalia (germany) during 2007 and 2008.	the entomological monitoring programs done on 19 farms all over northrhine-westfalia (germany) in the years 2007 and 2008 showed that the species culicoides obsoletus and c. pulicaris are the most common ones and that both act as vectors of the bluetongue-virus of the serotype 8. especially the species c. obsoletus was found all over the year and also inside or close to stables during the winter months. therefore, there exists no midge-free period that would interrupt the transmission cycle of b ...	2009	19330354
changes of the abundance of culicoides obsoletus s.s. and culicoides scoticus in southwest germany identified by a pcr-based differentiation.	the outbreak of bluetongue disease in central europe necessitates new approaches in the identification of vectors to follow-up changes of populations of species and not of complexes. since females of species of the complex of culicoides obsoletus are difficult to be identified according to morphological criteria, we applied a polymerase chain reaction (pcr)-based strategy targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit i to differentiate between the species culicoides obsoletus s.s. and c ...	2009	19319570
monitoring of culicoides at 20 locations in northwest germany.	entomological monitoring was carried out from april 2007 to may 2008 at 20 locations in the areas of lower saxony, schleswig-holstein, hamburg, and bremen. a total number of 26 culicoides species were sampled by light traps during the first week of every month. culicoides diversity was highest in summer, achieving more than 20 species and genera per month. numbers of culicoides were highest in spring and summer with a maximum of 325,000 individuals in may 2008 at a single location. during the wi ...	2009	19319571
monitoring of ceratopogonidae in southwest germany.	within the entomological monitoring program of the german federal ministry of food, agriculture, and user protection (bmelv), at 12 cattle farms in rhineland-palatinate and two in saarland, ultraviolet lamp traps were used to monitor the distribution and seasonal appearance of potential vectors of the bluetongue virus, with special consideration of species of culicoides. using the traps during the first seven nights of each month from april 2007 to may 2008, 5,000-120,000 ceratopogonids were cau ...	2009	19340458
effects of permethrin (flypor) and fenvalerate (acadrex60, arkofly) on culicoides species-the vector of bluetongue virus.	bluetongue disease struggles ruminants in europe since summer 2006, introducing high levels of morbidity and mortality. besides vaccination, the application of insecticides is another means to protect cattle and sheep from infections with the bluetongue virus, which is transmitted in europe by female specimens of culicoides species (culicoides obsoletus and in a few cases of culicoides pulicaris and culicoides dewulfi). the present study deals with the effects of permethrin (flypor) and fenvaler ...	2009	19015876
culicoides obsoletus (diptera: ceratopogonidae) in bosnia and herzegovina-first report.	the first occurrence of bluetongue disease in bosnia and herzegovina was registered in 2002 in the area of kalesija municipality. entomological investigation of the presence of culicoides species in that area was conducted in 2007. the aim of the research was to establish the presence of the main vector of bluetongue virus. collections and analyses of culicoides midges were performed in accordance with the protocols of the national reference centre for exotic diseases (centro studi malattie esot ...	2009	19352706
genebank accession numbers of sequences of culicoides species vectors of bluetongue virus in germany.	the paper offers the genebank accession numbers of culicoides obsoletus, culicoides scoticus and culicoides pulicaris sequences (its 1, its 2, 18s rrna) that had been shown to be vectors of the bluetongue virus serotype 8, which was introduced in 2006 into germany and spread until 2009 all over central europe, including parts of england. the numbers are fn 263292 until fn 263323.	2009	19424722
discrimination of culicoides midge larvae using multiplex polymerase chain reaction assays based on dna sequence variation at the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase i gene.	the recent spread of bluetongue disease in northwestern europe has indicated the ability of palaearctic culicoides species to vector the disease. because the different midge species vary in their ability to harbor and transmit the bluetongue virus, quick and reliable identification is necessary to resolve the species composition of midge communities, both adult and larval, at any place at any given time point. given that morphological identification of culicoides species is problematic, we devel ...	2009	19496434
socioeconomic indicators of heat-related health risk supplemented with remotely sensed data.	extreme heat events are the number one cause of weather-related fatalities in the united states. the current system of alert for extreme heat events does not take into account intra-urban spatial variation in risk. the purpose of this study is to evaluate a potential method to improve spatial delineation of risk from extreme heat events in urban environments by integrating sociodemographic risk factors with estimates of land surface temperature derived from thermal remote sensing data.	2009	19835578
suggesting synonymies? comments on kiehl et al. (2009) "the european vectors of bluetongue virus: are there species complexes, single species or races in culicoides obsoletus and c. pulicaris detectable by sequencing its-1, its-2 and 18s-rdna?".	species recognition and identification are crucial in any biological studies, especially when dealing with insect species involved in pathogen transmission. in recent years, molecular approaches have helped the clarification of systematic schemes and taxonomic status. kiehl et al. (parasitol res 105:331-336, 2009) used molecular data to discuss the taxonomic status of biting midge species in the palaearctic region. in the present work, the statements that "[thus] there is no molecular support fo ...	2010	20512587
evaluation of housing as a means to protect cattle from culicoides biting midges, the vectors of bluetongue virus.	the housing of animals at night was investigated as a possible means of protecting them from attack by culicoides biting midges (diptera: ceratopogonidae), the vectors of bluetongue. light-trap catches of culicoides were compared inside and outside animal housing, in the presence and absence of cattle. a three-replicate, 4 x 4 latin square design was used at four farms in bala, north wales, over 12 nights in may and june 2007, and the experiment repeated in october. in the two studies, respectiv ...	2010	20377730
biotic and abiotic factors influencing distribution and abundance of culicoides obsoletus group (diptera: ceratopogonidae) in central italy.	in the framework of a bluetongue surveillance program including clinical, serological, and entomological activities, culicoides biting midges were light trapped weekly in two regions of central italy, lazio and tuscany. in the period january 2002 through december 2005, 3,944 collections were carried out in 189 trap sites distributed in all the provinces of the two regions. abundance data of c. obsoletus group were analyzed in relation to trap site altitude, distance from the sea, land use, and n ...	2010	20496577
biting midges of the genus culicoides in south carolina zoos.	biting midges of the genus culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) were collected during the summer of 2007 at the greenville and riverbanks zoos in south carolina with centers for disease control and prevention (cdc) traps equipped with ultraviolet or incandescent lights and baited with carbon dioxide. sixteen species of culicoides were collected, four of which represented more than 80%. they were culicoides guttipennis (coquillett), culicoides mulrenanni beck, culicoides obsoletus (meigen), and ...	2010	20569132
genetic structure and population dynamics of the biting midges culicoides obsoletus and culicoides scoticus: implications for the transmission and maintenance of bluetongue.	culicoides species belonging to the obsoletus complex (diptera: ceratopogonidae) have been indicated as primary bluetongue (bt) vectors in many european countries and their possible involvement in the maintenance and overwintering of bt viruses has been suggested, even in regions where culicoides imicola keiffer is the main vector. the obsoletus complex includes two predominant taxa, culicoides obsoletus (meigen) and culicoides scoticus downes & kettle. however, the role played by each species i ...	2010	20572933
development and preliminary evaluation of a real-time polymerase chain reaction for the identification of culicoides obsoletus sensu strictu, c. scoticus and c. montanus in the obsoletus complex in italy.	a real-time polymerase chain reaction (pcr) using a green fluorescence dye, followed by a comparison of derivative melting curves in the post-amplification phase, was developed to distinguish species of culicoides within the obsoletus complex. the selected target sequence was internal transcribed spacer 2 (its 2) of the ribosomal dna (rdna). using the newly developed method, 140 midges were morphologically classified in the obsoletus complex and were processed. the results were compared to those ...	2010	20560129
contribution to the knowledge of culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) host preferences in france.	knowledge on host-feeding pattern of blood-sucking insects helps to understand the epidemiology of a vector-born disease. we determined blood meal origin from blood-fed culicoides thanks to molecular techniques. a set of primers was used to selectively amplify segment of vertebrates' prepronociceptin gene from abdomen of engorged culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae). vertebrate dna was successfully amplified in 91% of blood-fed culicoides assayed. direct sequencing and comparison of resultant s ...	2010	20967462
molecular identification of bloodmeals from biting midges (diptera: ceratopogonidae: culicoides latreille) in denmark.	culicoides vectors are critical to the survival and transmission of bluetongue virus as infection only occurs in areas or regions where competent vectors are present. the success of culicoides biting midges as vectors is mainly related to their vast population sizes and to their means of dispersal. their choice of host for blood feeding is sparsely described. the aim of the present study was to establish methods for the identification of bloodmeal hosts and determine the identity and diversity o ...	2010	20978788
monitoring of biting midges (diptera: ceratopogonidae: culicoides latreille) on farms in sweden during the emergence of the 2008 epidemic of bluetongue.	in light of the emergence of bluetongue in northern europe, populations of culicoides species were monitored in 2007-2008 by means of onderstepoort blacklight suction traps operating at livestock farms in sweden. the location of the 22 sampling sites ranged from about latitude 55 degrees n to about 68 degrees n. a total of 61,669 male and female culicoides were captured, of which, 52,319 were trapped outside the farms and 9,350 in byres or livestock sheds. thirty-three culicoides species were re ...	2010	20174825
field studies on culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) activity and response to deltamethrin applications to sheep in northeastern spain.	an enclosure trapping experiment compared numbers and engorgement of culicoides spp. taken from treated sheep (7.5% deltamethrin) to culicoides from untreated sheep. attack rates were low (0.2/min), but 58% of culicoides obsoletus s.l. and 67% of culicoides parroti kieffer engorged on untreated sheep, and no engorgement occurred on treated sheep on 0 and 4 d posttreatment. a uv light trap in a livestock barn collected eight culicoides spp. (510 individuals), dominated by c. obsoletus (meigen) (6 ...	2010	20180316
discrimination of culicoides obsoletus and culicoides scoticus, potential bluetongue vectors, by morphometrical and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit i analysis.	biting midges of the culicoides obsoletus meigen species complex (diptera: ceratopogonidae) are increasingly suspected as vectors of the recent emergence of bluetongue virus in europe. within this complex, identification of the c. obsoletus and culicoides scoticus females is considered as difficult or sometimes not possible while the identification of males is easy, based on genitalia observation. nolan et al. (2007) concluded that the distinction of c. obsoletus and c. scoticus females is not p ...	2010	20381646
the influence of host number on the attraction of biting midges, culicoides spp., to light traps.	a preliminary study was undertaken to investigate how the number of sheep below a light-suction trap affects the number of female culicoides obsoletus meigen (diptera: ceratopogonidae) caught. as the number of sheep increased from zero to three, the number of midges caught increased, but there appeared to be no further increase when six sheep were used. the lack of increase between three and six sheep is attributable to different activity rates on certain nights, perhaps in response to weather, ...	2011	20704653
morphological and molecular identification of species of the obsoletus group (diptera: ceratopogonidae) in scandinavia.	after the introduction of bluetongue in northern europe in 2006, populations of culicoides have been monitored in many european countries. large quantities of culicoides specimens shall be determined to species, and it is thus important to find reliable morphological characters that are visualized in a stereomicroscope. culicoides obsoletus, culicoides scoticus, culicoides chiopterus, and culicoides dewulfi all belonging to subgenus avaritia are common in collections in northern europe. c. obsol ...	2011	21461726
phenology and attraction of potential culicoides vectors of bluetongue virus in basque country (northern spain).	bluetongue virus is transmitted by culicoides biting midges (diptera: ceratopogonidae). culicoides associated with livestock were captured using cdc blacklight traps at three btv-infected farms in basque country between november 2007 and december 2008. twenty-seven and nineteen culicoides species were collected in outdoor and indoor habitats respectively. indoor insect community represented 86.1% of the whole captured individual biting midges. culicoides obsoletus/culicoides scoticus (two siblin ...	2011	22137350
Impacts of climate, host and landscape factors on Culicoides species in Scotland.	Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) vector a wide variety of internationally important arboviral pathogens of livestock and represent a widespread biting nuisance. This study investigated the influence of landscape, host and remotely-sensed climate factors on local abundance of livestock-associated species in Scotland, within a hierarchical generalized linear model framework. The Culicoides obsoletus group and the Culicoides pulicaris group accounted for 56% and 41%, respectively ...	2011	22103842
Seasonal dynamics of biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae: Culicoides), the potential vectors of bluetongue virus, in Sweden.	The outbreak of bluetongue (BT) in northern Europe 2006 initiated the monitoring of vectors, biting midges of the genus Culicoides in Sweden. In order to determine the diversity, distribution and seasonal dynamics of Culicoides, weekly collections were made during 2008 and during March-December 2009 using the Ondestepoort Veterinary Institute black light trap. Twenty sampling sites were selected in 12 provinces. In total of 30,704 Culicoides were collected in 2008 and 32,252 in 2009. The most ab ...	2011	21944873
emergence of culicoides obsoletus from indoor and outdoor breeding sites.	culicoides obsoletus (diptera: ceratopogondae) is considered as the probable main vector of bluetongue virus (btv) in northern europe. its breeding sites are poorly documented at the present time. we report numerous emergences of c. obsoletus s. str. from soil samples collected in two holdings between august and september 2010. specimens were collected regularly in the laboratory during 80days. in one holding, 1584 c. obsoletus midges emerged from used litter collected inside a dairy cow buildin ...	2011	21840126
simultaneous quantification of the relative abundance of species complex members: application to culicoides obsoletus and culicoides scoticus (diptera: ceratopogonidae), potential vectors of bluetongue virus.	the two sympatric sibling species culicoides obsoletus (meigen) and culicoides scoticus downes and kettle (diptera: ceratopogonidae), are known to be competent vectors for bluetongue virus in the palaearctic region. however, morphological identification of constituent species is only readily applicable to adult males and these two species distinguishing traits have overlapping character states. as their vector competence may differ in space and time, the correct identification and quantification ...	2011	21715095
quantitative assessment of the probability of bluetongue virus overwintering by horizontal transmission: application to germany.	abstract: even though bluetongue virus (btv) transmission is apparently interrupted during winter, bluetongue outbreaks often reappear in the next season (overwintering). several mechanisms for btv overwintering have been proposed, but to date, their relative importance remain unclear. in order to assess the probability of btv overwintering by persistence in adult vectors, ruminants (through prolonged viraemia) or a combination of both, a quantitative risk assessment model was developed. further ...	2011	21314966
laboratory and field-based tests of deltamethrin insecticides against adult culicoides biting midges.	bluetongue virus (btv) is an economically important arbovirus of ruminants transmitted by culicoides biting midges. vector control using residual spraying or application to livestock is recommended by many authorities to reduce btv transmission; however, the impact of these measures in terms of both inflicting mortality on culicoides and subsequently upon btv transmission is unclear. this study consisted of a standardized world health organization laboratory assay to determine the susceptibility ...	2011	21485373
assessment of vector/host contact: comparison of animal-baited traps and uv-light/suction trap for collecting culicoides biting midges (diptera: ceratopogonidae), vectors of orbiviruses.	abstract:	2011	21707980
Quantifying the spatial dependence of Culicoides midge samples collected by Onderstepoort-type blacklight traps: an experimental approach to infer the range of attraction of light traps.	The emergence of bluetongue disease in Europe has led several countries to rapidly establish large-scale entomological surveys of its vectors, which are midges belonging to the genus Culicoides Latreille, 1809 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). These surveys have largely been based on the use of Onderstepoort-type blacklight traps. However, the range of attraction of the traps and the spatial dependence of the samples they provide are unknown, which somewhat complicates subsequent analyses. This paper ...	2011	22098421
identity and diversity of blood meal hosts of biting midges (diptera: ceratopogonidae: culicoides latreille) in denmark.	host preference studies in haematophagous insects e.g. culicoides biting midges are pivotal to assess transmission routes of vector-borne diseases and critical for the development of veterinary contingency plans to identify which species should be included due to their risk potential. species of culicoides have been found in almost all parts of the world and known to live in a variety of habitats. several parasites and viruses are transmitted by culicoides biting midges including bluetongue viru ...	2012	22824422
rna interference targets arbovirus replication in culicoides cells.	arboviruses are transmitted to vertebrate hosts by biting arthropod vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks, and midges. these viruses replicate in both arthropods and vertebrates and are thus exposed to different antiviral responses in these organisms. rna interference (rnai) is a sequence-specific rna degradation mechanism that has been shown to play a major role in the antiviral response against arboviruses in mosquitoes. culicoides midges are important vectors of arboviruses, known to transmit pat ...	2012	23269795
drosophila melanogaster as a model organism for bluetongue virus replication and tropism.	bluetongue virus (btv) is the etiological agent of bluetongue (bt), a hemorrhagic disease of ruminants that can cause high levels of morbidity and mortality. btv is an arbovirus transmitted between its ruminant hosts by culicoides biting midges (diptera: ceratopogonidae). recently, europe has experienced some of the largest bt outbreaks ever recorded, including areas with no known history of the disease, leading to unprecedented economic and animal welfare issues. the current lack of genomic res ...	2012	22674991
bluetongue virus serotype 1 outbreak in the basque country (northern spain) 2007-2008. data support a primary vector windborne transport.	bluetongue (bt) is a vector-borne disease of ruminants that has expanded its traditional global distribution in the last decade. recently, btv-1 emerged in southern spain and caused several outbreaks in livestock reaching the north of the country. the aim of this paper was to review the emergence of btv-1 in the basque country (northern spain) during 2007 and 2008 analyzing the possibility that infected culicoides were introduced into basque country by winds from the infected areas of southern s ...	2012	22479628
why did bluetongue spread the way it did? environmental factors influencing the velocity of bluetongue virus serotype 8 epizootic wave in france.	understanding where and how fast an infectious disease will spread during an epidemic is critical for its control. however, the task is a challenging one as numerous factors may interact and drive the spread of a disease, specifically when vector-borne diseases are involved. we advocate the use of simultaneous autoregressive models to identify environmental features that significantly impact the velocity of disease spread. we illustrate this approach by exploring several environmental factors in ...	2012	22916249
genetic characterization and molecular identification of the bloodmeal sources of the potential bluetongue vector culicoides obsoletus in the canary islands, spain.	culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) biting midges are vectors for a diversity of pathogens including bluetongue virus (btv) that generate important economic losses. btv has expanded its range in recent decades, probably due to the expansion of its main vector and the presence of other autochthonous competent vectors. although the canary islands are still free of bluetongue disease (btd), spain and europe have had to face up to a spread of bluetongue with disastrous consequences. therefore, it ...	2012	22827913
a review of african horse sickness and its implications for ireland.	african horse sickness is an economically highly important non-contagious but infectious orbivirus disease that is transmitted by various species of culicoides midges. the equids most severely affected by the virus are horses, ponies, and european donkeys; mules are somewhat less susceptible, and african donkeys and zebra are refractory to the devastating consequences of infection. in recent years, bluetongue virus, an orbivirus similar to african horse sickness, which also utilises culicoides s ...	2012	22553991
host-seeking activity of bluetongue virus vectors: endo/exophagy and circadian rhythm of culicoides in western europe.	feeding success of free-living hematophagous insects depends on their ability to be active when hosts are available and to reach places where hosts are accessible. when the hematophagous insect is a vector of pathogens, determining the components of host-seeking behavior is of primary interest for the assessment of transmission risk. our aim was to describe endo/exophagy and circadian host-seeking activity of palaearctic culicoides species, which are major biting pests and arbovirus vectors, usi ...	2012	23144735
monitoring bluetongue virus vectors in andalusia (sw europe): culicoides species composition and factors affecting capture rates of the biting midge culicoides imicola.	in this work, we summarize the results of captures of culicoides species in andalusia (s spain) during 2007-2008. four out of the 15 midge species-culicoides imicola, culicoides obsoletus complex, culicoides pulicaris complex, and culicoides nubeculosus-accounted for 80.7 % of captures (n = 68,190). captures were seasonal and mostly occurred in may-november. the overall number of culicoides specimens captured and the mean number of caught per trap were higher in 2007. we used an information-theo ...	2012	22610444
culicoides obsoletus extract relevant for diagnostics of insect bite hypersensitivity in horses.	insect bite hypersensitivity (ibh) is an allergic dermatitis in horses caused by the bites of culicoides species. the aim of the present study was to evaluate the applicability of whole body extracts of c. obsoletus (the main species found feeding on horses in the netherlands), c. nubeculosus (rarely found in the netherlands) and c. sonorensis (typical for north america) for diagnosis of ibh in horses in the netherlands. blood and serum samples of 10 clinically confirmed ibh affected and 10 heal ...	2012	22906994
investigation of diel activity of culicoides biting midges (diptera: ceratopogonidae) in the united kingdom by using a vehicle-mounted trap.	truck trap collections of culicoides biting midges (diptera: ceratopogonidae) were made during 2 yr of sampling from 2008 to 2009 at a farm site in southern england. samples were collected from 810 sample runs carried out over 52 d and contained 7,095 culicoides of which more than half (50.3%) were identified as culicoides obsoletus meigen by using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay. other commonly encountered species included culicoides scoticus downes & kettle (14.7% of total culicoid ...	2012	22679886
urban forests as hubs for novel zoonosis: blood meal analysis, seasonal variation in culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) vectors, and avian haemosporidians.	culicoides vectors can transmit a diverse array of parasites and are globally distributed. we studied feeding preferences and seasonal variation of culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) vectors in an urban forest of germany to determine whether humans living nearby are readily exposed to vector-borne parasites from wild animals. we used a fragment of the mtdna coi gene to identify hosts from blood meals. we amplified a fragment of the mtdna cyt b to detect haemosporidian infections in culicoides ...	2013	23981661
comparative study of antennal and maxillary palp olfactory sensilla of female biting midges (diptera: ceratopogonidae: culicoides) in the context of host preference and phylogeny.	culicoides biting midges (diptera ceratopogonidae) are vectors of disease, including bluetongue and african horse sickness. host preference of these insects is primarily regulated by olfactory cues, detected by olfactory sensilla on the antennae and maxillary palps. in this study, we analyzed the sensillum repertoire of biting midge species with known host preferences. five different morphological sensillum types, sensilla trichodea, s. chaetica, s. ampullacea, s. coeloconica, and grooved peg se ...	2013	23802442