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1
Rozo-Lopez, Paula, Berlin Londono-Renteria, and Barbara S. Drolet. "Impacts of Infectious Dose, Feeding Behavior, and Age of Culicoides sonorensis Biting Midges on Infection Dynamics of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus." Pathogens 10, no. 7 (June 29, 2021): 816. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10070816.
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Culicoides sonorensis biting midges are biological vectors of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) in the U.S. Yet, little is known regarding the amount of ingested virus required to infect midges, nor how their feeding behavior or age affects viral replication and vector competence. We determined the minimum infectious dose of VSV-New Jersey for C. sonorensis midges and examined the effects of multiple blood-feeding cycles and age at the time of virus acquisition on infection dynamics. A minimum dose of 3.2 logs of virus/mL of blood resulted in midgut infections, and 5.2 logs/mL resulted in a disseminated infection to salivary glands. For blood-feeding behavior studies, ingestion of one or two non-infectious blood meals (BM) after a VSV infectious blood meal (VSV-BM) resulted in higher whole-body virus titers than midges receiving only the single infectious VSV-BM. Interestingly, this infection enhancement was not seen when a non-infectious BM preceded the infectious VSV-BM. Lastly, increased midge age at the time of infection correlated to increased whole-body virus titers. This research highlights the epidemiological implications of infectious doses, vector feeding behaviors, and vector age on VSV infection dynamics to estimate the risk of transmission by Culicoides midges more precisely.
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Passino, Kevin M. "Modeling and Cohesiveness Analysis of Midge Swarms." International Journal of Swarm Intelligence Research 4, no. 4 (October 2013): 1–22. http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/ijsir.2013100101.
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Midges (Anarete pritchardi) coordinate their flight motions to form a cohesive group during swarming. In this paper, individual midge motion dynamics, sensing abilities, and flight rules are represented with a midge swarm model. The sensing accuracy and flight rule are adjusted so that the model produces trajectory behavior, and velocity, speed, and acceleration distributions, that are remarkably similar to those found in midge swarm experiments. Mathematical analysis of the validated swarm model shows that the distances between the midges' positions and the swarm position centroid, and the midges' velocities and the swarm velocity centroid, are ultimately bounded (i.e., eventually satisfy a bound expressed in terms of individual midge parameters). Likewise, the swarm position and velocity centroids are shown to be ultimately bounded. These analytical results provide insights into why the identified individual midge sensing characteristics and flight rule lead to cohesive swarm behavior.
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Gan, Shi-Rui, Wei Du, and Xiao-Fan Wang. "Functional Differentiation of Floral Color and Scent in Gall Midge Pollination: A Study of a Schisandraceae Plant." Plants 11, no. 7 (April 2, 2022): 974. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/plants11070974.
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Gall midges are among the most host-specific insects. Their interactions with plants likely date back to the Cretaceous period. Plants from at least seven families are involved in gall midge pollination; however, little is known about the pollination signals of gall midges. In this study, we used a Resseliella–Schisandra model to investigate the roles of floral scent and color in attracting gall midges. Field observations, behavioral bioassays via Y-tubes, and “flight box” experiments were performed. The results demonstrated that gall midges may be attracted by both floral scent and color and that two flower signals are more effective in promoting insect flower-landing than either alone. In the field, gall midges visited male flowers effectively at night but almost always visited female flowers during the day. Thus, during the Resseliella–Schisandra interactions, female flowers predominantly employed visual cues over scent to attract midges during the day; in contrast, olfactory cues were more functional for male flowers to export pollen in the dark. In this study, we first identified the roles of floral color and the functional differentiation of visual and olfactory cues during gall midge pollination.
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Soroka, Juliana, Larry Grenkow, Boyd Mori, and Lars Andreassen. "Injury by Contarinia (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) to early-seeded and late-seeded canola in northeastern Saskatchewan, Canada, and assessment of seed treatments for midge control." Canadian Entomologist 151, no. 02 (February 11, 2019): 219–35. http://dx.doi.org/10.4039/tce.2018.68.
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AbstractA three-year field study in northeastern Saskatchewan, Canada, determined the effects of seeding date and seed treatment on feeding injury by Contarinia Róndani (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) midges to canola, Brassica napus Linnaeus (Brassicaceae), and subsequent seed yield. Emergence cage monitoring indicated the presence of two generations of midges at the four locations observed. Intensity of midge injury to canola was low, but damaged plants were common. Field location and seeding date influenced probability of midge injury and canola growth stage. The wettest of the four locations had the greatest number of midges but low levels of probability of damage in two of three years. Early-seeded plots had higher injury probability than late-seeded plots, with the highest probability of injury occurring one to two weeks after flowering commenced. Seed treatment marginally affected midge injury ratings, suggesting that insecticide efficacy dissipated before the midges attacked. Seed yield was higher in early-seeded than in late-seeded plots in two of three years, despite the greater level of damage seen in early-seeded plots. Overall, the research showed that the agronomic benefits of early seeding outweighed the effects of the midge damage observed; therefore, producers in the Canadian prairie provinces should seed canola when conditions are most agronomically suitable.
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BUKAUSKAITĖ, DOVILĖ, RASA BERNOTIENĖ, TATJANA A. IEZHOVA, and GEDIMINAS VALKIŪNAS. "Mechanisms of mortality in Culicoides biting midges due to Haemoproteus infection." Parasitology 143, no. 13 (September 9, 2016): 1748–54. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0031182016001426.
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SUMMARYWe examined the effects of Haemoproteus infection on the survival and pathology caused in the biting midges. Forty-six females of Culicoides impunctatus were exposed experimentally by allowing them to feed on a naturally infected red-backed shrike infected with Haemoproteus lanii (lineage hRB1, gametocytaemia 5·2%). Seventeen females were fed on an uninfected bird (controls). Dead insects were collected, counted and used for dissection, histological examination and polymerase chain reaction-based testing. Parasites were present in all experimentally infected biting midges, but absent from control insects. Survivorship differed significantly between the control and infected groups. Twelve hours post-exposure (PE), 45 (98%) experimentally infected midges were dead, but all control midges remained alive, and many of them survived until 7 day PE. The migrating ookinetes of H. lanii overfilled midgut, markedly damaged the midgut wall, entered the haemocoel and overfilled the abdomen and thorax of exposed biting midges. Massive infection by migrating ookinetes led to damage of abdomen and thorax of biting midges. The parasites often present in large clumps in the haemocoel in abdomen and thorax, leading to the interruption of the haemolymph circulation. These are the main reasons for rapid death of biting midges after feeding on high-intensity infections of Haemoproteus parasites.
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Jorgensen, Amanda, Jennifer Otani, and Maya L. Evenden. "Assessment of Available Tools for Monitoring Wheat Midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)." Environmental Entomology 49, no. 3 (March 17, 2020): 627–37. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvaa017.
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Abstract Wheat midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana Géhin, is an invasive pest of wheat, Triticum aestivum L. (Poaceae) throughout Canada and the United States. The applicability of available monitoring tools, including sex-pheromone baited traps, yellow sticky cards, and soil core sample surveys, in the northern-most agroecosystem of its invasive range has not been assessed. In this study, the attraction of male wheat midge to two Delta traps (green and orange) baited with one of three pheromone lures (a flex lure and two red septa lures from different sources) were compared. The efficacy of three yellow sticky cards (7 × 12 cm, 14 × 18 cm, and 14 × 18 cm rolled into a cylinder) for capture of male and female midge was assessed. Larvae were extracted from wheat heads sampled at the same sites to determine relationships with earlier adult trap capture. More male adult midges were captured in pheromone-baited traps with a greater surface area and in traps baited with the Scotts flex lure than the Great Lakes IPM septa lure, which had higher and more variable pheromone release rates. The smaller yellow sticky cards captured more male and female midges than the larger yellow sticky cards, regardless of shape. The number of female midges captured on yellow sticky cards predicted the number of larvae in wheat heads. The number of male midges captured in pheromone-baited traps did not predict larval density. Relationships were found between the number of overwintering cocoons recovered in soil core samples and emerging midges the following spring.
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Sunantaraporn, Sakone, Thanaporn Hortiwakul, Kanyarat Kraivichian, Padet Siriyasatien, and Narisa Brownell. "Molecular Identification of Host Blood Meals and Detection of Blood Parasites in Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) Collected from Phatthalung Province, Southern Thailand." Insects 13, no. 10 (October 8, 2022): 912. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/insects13100912.
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Five hundred and fifty-nine female biting midges were collected, and seventeen species in six subgenera (Avaritia, Haemophoructus, Hoffmania, Meijerehelea, Remmia, and Trithecoides) and two groups (Clavipalpis and Shortti) were identified. The dominant Culicoides species was C. peregrinus (30.94%), followed by C. subgenus Trithecoides. From blood meal analysis of engorged biting midges, they were found to feed on cows, dogs, pigs, and avians. The majority of blood preferences of biting midges (68%; 49/72) displayed a mixed pattern of host blood DNA (cow and avian). The overall non-engorged biting midge field infectivity rate was 1.44 % (7/487). We detected Leucocytozoon sp. in three Culicoides specimens, one from each species: C. fulvus, C. oxystoma, and C. subgenus Trithecoides. Crithidia sp. was found in two C. peregrinus specimens, and Trypanosoma sp. and P. juxtanucleare were separately found in two C. guttifer. More consideration should be paid to the capacity of biting midges to transmit pathogens such as avian haemosporidian and trypanosomatid parasites. To demonstrate that these biting midges are natural vectors of trypanosomatid parasites, additional research must be conducted with a greater number of biting midges in other endemic regions.
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Chang, Chun-Gin, Chia-Hsuan Hsu, and Keryea Soong. "Navigation in darkness: How the marine midge (Pontomyia oceana) locates hard substrates above the water level to lay eggs." PLOS ONE 16, no. 1 (January 25, 2021): e0246060. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0246060.
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Finding suitable habitats for specific functions such as breeding provides examples of key biotic adaptation. The adult marine midge Pontomyia oceana requires an extremely specific habitat, i.e., hard substrates above water in shallow water, to deposit fertilized eggs. We investigated how these sea surface-skimming insects accomplished this with a stringent time constraint of 1–2 h of the adult life span in the evenings. We observed that in artificial containers, midges aggregated at bright spots only if the light was not in the direction of the sea. This behavior could potentially attract midges toward the shore and away from the open water. Experiments were performed in the intertidal zone in southern Taiwan to test three hypotheses explaining such behavior: gradients of temperature and CO2, and soundscape. No differences were observed in moving directions or aggregation of midges under artificial temperature and CO2 gradients. However, midges preferred sounds at 75 Hz compared with other frequencies (all ≤300 Hz) as observed in a field experiment involving floating traps with loudspeakers. Moreover, when background noise was experimentally masked using white noise of all frequencies, midges were significantly more likely to aggregate at bright spots in the direction of the sea than in the absence of white noise. These results establish that sound is used by midges to navigate in dark seas and move toward the shore where exposed hard substrates are in abundance. Marine mammals present well-known cases of sound pollution at sea; here the finding in the insignificant marine midge is just the harbinger of the potential effects noise at shore may have to affect critical reproductive stages of marine organisms.
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Kaufmann, C., C. Schaffner, A. Tschuor, and A. Mathis. "Répartition et abondance des moucherons piqueurs, vecteurs potentiels de la fièvre catarrhale ovine, en Suisse." Revue d’élevage et de médecine vétérinaire des pays tropicaux 62, no. 2-4 (February 1, 2009): 129. http://dx.doi.org/10.19182/remvt.10039.
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Indigenous biting midges proved to be highly efficient vectors for the recently introduced bluetongue virus serotype 8 (BTV-8). Since its introduction in Northern Europe, the virus has rapidly spread, reaching Switzerland in 2008. The aims of this project are to determine the distribution, abundance, and activity patterns of biting midges occurring in Switzerland. Insects were caught with Onderstepoort ultraviolet light traps once weekly at stations representing the 12 climatic regions of Switzerland throughout the whole year. In addition, catches were carried out at five stations in an Alpine region of Switzerland at altitudes between 1300 and 2000 metres above sea level from the end of June to the end of October 2008. Midges were grouped under the stereomicroscope into Obsoletus complex, Pulicaris complex or other Culicoides spp. Midges were caught at all stations, albeit in very different numbers. The highest monthly average was 10,000 midges per night (Dittingen); the third highest average was recorded at the highest station (Juf, 2130 m). At stations below 1500 m, midges of the Obsoletus complex (98% in Dittingen) were predominant. In Central Europe, they are considered the most likely vectors responsible for BTV transmission. With increasing altitude, midges of the Pulicaris complex prevailed (91% in Juf). Catches in two neighbouring Alpine mountains of similar altitude (approximately 2000 m) varied considerably. It is most likely that there are no midge-free zones in the agricultural areas (including Alpine summer pastures) of Switzerland, but the vector competence of the various midges with regard to BTV needs to be urgently clarified.
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Rozo-Lopez, Paula, Yoonseong Park, and Barbara S. Drolet. "Effect of Constant Temperatures on Culicoides sonorensis Midge Physiology and Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Infection." Insects 13, no. 4 (April 9, 2022): 372. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/insects13040372.
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Culicoides midges play an important role in vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) transmission to US livestock. After VSV-blood feeding, blood digestion followed by oviposition occurs while ingested virus particles replicate and disseminate to salivary glands for transmission during subsequent blood-feeding events. Changes to environmental temperature may alter the feeding–oviposition–refeeding cycles, midge survival, VSV infection, and overall vector capacity. However, the heterothermic midge may respond rapidly to environmental changes by adjusting their thermal behavior to resting in areas closer to their physiological range. Here we investigated the effects of four constant environmental temperatures (20, 25, 30, and 35 °C) on C. sonorensis survival, oviposition, and VSV infection, as well as resting thermal preferences after blood-feeding. We found that most midges preferred to rest in areas at 25–30 °C. These two constant temperatures (25 and 30 °C) allowed an intermediate fitness performance, with a 66% survival probability by day 10 and oviposition cycles occurring every 2–3 days. Additionally, VSV infection rates in bodies and heads with salivary glands were higher than in midges held at 20 °C and 35 °C. Our results provide insight into the implications of temperature on VSV–Culicoides interactions and confirm that the range of temperature preferred by midges can benefit both the vector and the arbovirus.
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Schaffner, Francis, C. Kaufmann, H. Schwermer, and A. Mathis. "Surveillance des moucherons piqueurs : détermination des périodes sans vecteurs en Suisse de 2007 à 2009." Revue d’élevage et de médecine vétérinaire des pays tropicaux 62, no. 2-4 (February 1, 2009): 145. http://dx.doi.org/10.19182/remvt.10055.
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Since the introduction of bluetongue virus serotype 8 (BTV-8) in Northern Europe, a surveillance of the disease has been implemented in Switzerland, based on a collaborative network including the Swiss Federal Veterinary Office, the Institute of Virology and Immunoprophylaxis and the Institute of Parasitology (IPZ). In accordance with European regulations, the surveillance aims at determining zones which are seasonally free of bluetongue by showing lack of evidence of disease transmission or of activity of competent vectors. The results of two years (2007–2009) of surveillance of the winter activity of biting midges are presented. BT zones were identified for Switzerland and Liechtenstein based on (i) the 45x45 km grid, (ii) a spatial risk analysis on the occurrence of biting midges and susceptible livestock, and (iii) the limits of the Swiss administrative units (cantons). Thus, 16 BT zones were defined, comparable in area size (as ‘risk’ areas) and in populations of cattle, sheep and goats. Insects were caught with Onderstepoort ultraviolet-light traps once weekly at 19 stations, outdoors, from dusk to dawn, and from October to May. Trapping was maintained at six stations during the midge activity season. Trappings were implemented by volunteer farmers or local veterinary offices, and samples were sent to the Swiss reference laboratory for vector entomology (IPZ) where midge activity was classified from ‘no activity’ to ‘very high activity’. Midges were caught at all stations, but in very different numbers. From mid-November 2007 until end of March 2008 there was a period of very low Culicoides activity (catches without midges or below the threshold of 10 midges/trap/night). Then, the activity increased gradually, and the vector-free period was defined as ending on April 15th. All sites showed activity during the whole summer, globally with a decrease from July to September. The highest activity was recorded in Northern Switzerland (Basel), with an average of 3268 midges/trap/night. Surprisingly, the highest activity was not observed in Southern Switzerland where the mild climate is influenced by the Mediterranean Sea, but north of the Alps characterized by an Atlantic climate. During October to mid-November 2008, midge activity decreased, and less than 10 midges or 5 parous midges/trap/night were caught at all sites after mid-November. The vector-free period was thus determined as starting on December 15, 2008. Then, a very low activity was observed in Basel during early January, and no activity was observed in the cantons until the first week of March 2009. Very few midges were trapped until beginning of April, and first parous and blood-fed females were caught after mid- April. Thus, the vector-free period was declared to end on April 20, 2009. Vector-free periods could be defined for the whole of Switzerland during the two years of winter surveillance. A third year of surveillance is ongoing, and three-years’ data will be analysed for a possible extrapolation of an annual vector-free period.
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Shanower, Thomas G. "Occurrence of Sitodiplosis mosellana (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) and its parasitoid, Macroglenes penetrans (Hymenoptera: Platygasteridae), in northeastern Montana." Canadian Entomologist 137, no. 6 (December 2005): 753–55. http://dx.doi.org/10.4039/n05-056.
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AbstractThe wheat midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin), is an infrequent but devastating pest that has been present in western North America for at least 100 years. This note provides the first published report of the presence of the wheat midge and its parasitoid, Macroglenes penetrans (Kirby), in Montana. Annual surveys were conducted in Daniels, Roosevelt, Sheridan, and Valley counties of northeastern Montana for 5 years (2000–2004) using a systematic soil sampling method to collect overwintering wheat midge larvae. In addition, in 2004, infested wheat heads were collected from 10 fields in Sheridan County, and wheat midges and parasitoids were reared. The wheat midge occurred in all four counties, though at relatively low levels. Densities fluctuated across years and locations, with the highest densities (>200 midge larvae/m2) occurring in Sheridan and Roosevelt counties. Macroglenes penetrans was found at all 10 sample sites and constituted up to 52% of the emerged adults (midges + parasitoids).
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Etl, Florian, Wittko Francke, Jürg Schönenberger, and Stefan Dötterl. "Chemical Attraction of Gall Midge Pollinators (Cecidomyiidae: Cecidomyiinae) to Anthurium acutangulum (Araceae)." Journal of Chemical Ecology 48, no. 3 (March 2022): 263–69. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10886-022-01349-3.
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AbstractFlowering plants often use chemical signals to attract their pollinators, and compounds that elicit attraction are known for several groups of pollinators. For other pollinators such as gall midges, however, compounds responsible for their attraction to flowers are largely unknown. Here, we describe the pollination biology of Anthurium acutangulum, a Neotropical aroid species found to be attractive to gall midges. We collected and analyzed its floral scent by dynamic headspace collections and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, and identified compounds responsible for pollinator attraction. The inflorescences were almost exclusively visited by gall midges (females; Cecidomyiidae: Cecidomyiinae) and released a strong scent reminiscent of freshly cut cucumber, mainly (5S,7S)-trans-conophthorin, (E2,Z6)-2,6-nonadienal, and cis-conophthorin. Behavioral assays with the two most abundant compounds identified (E2,Z6)-2,6-nonadienal as being highly attractive to the female gall midge pollinators, whereas (5S,7S)-trans-conophthorin was not attractive. Overall, we introduce a new specialized gall midge pollination system and identify the chemical mediating communication between the pollinators and their host plants.
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Araújo, Walter Santos de, and Valéria Cid Maia. "First characterization of a taxonomically well‑resolved trophic network composed by host plants and gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in the Neotropical region." Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia 61 (March 31, 2021): e20216134. http://dx.doi.org/10.11606/1807-0205/2021.61.34.
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In the present study we described the structure of a trophic network composed by gall-midge species (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) and their host plants in the Restinga of Barra de Maricá (Maricá, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). Species data were retrieved from literature and different topological descriptors (links per species, connectance, and modularity of interactions) were used. All gall-midge species were monophages, with connectance of 2.8% of the 2,016 possible interactions. The network of host plants and gall midges had low number of links per species and high modularity, which indicates high specificity and specialization of plant-galling interactions in the area. This is the first characterization of a trophic network with good taxonomic resolution for the Neotropical gall midges.
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Covey, Hunter, Rafe H. Hall, Alyssa Krafsur, Megan L. Matthews, Phillip T. Shults, and Corey L. Brelsfoard. "Cryptic Wolbachia (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) Detection and Prevalence in Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) Midge Populations in the United States." Journal of Medical Entomology 57, no. 4 (January 21, 2020): 1262–69. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjaa003.
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Abstract Culicoides midges vector numerous veterinary and human pathogens. Many of these diseases lack effective therapeutic treatments or vaccines to limit transmission. The only effective approach to limit disease transmission is vector control. However, current vector control for Culicoides midges is complicated by the biology of many Culicoides species and is not always effective at reducing midge populations and impacting disease transmission. The endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis Hertig may offer an alternative control approach to limit disease transmission and affect Culicoides populations. Here the detection of Wolbachia infections in nine species of Culicoides midges is reported. Infections were detected at low densities using qPCR. Wolbachia infections were confirmed with the sequencing of a partial region of the 16S gene. Fluorescence in situ hybridization of Culicoides sonorensis Wirth and Jones adults and dissected ovaries confirm the presence of Wolbachia infections in an important vector of Bluetongue and Epizootic hemorrhagic disease viruses. The presence of Wolbachia in Culicoides populations in the United States suggests the need for further investigation of Wolbachia as a strategy to limit transmission of diseases vectored by Culicoides midges.
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Crist, Jake. "Midges." Yale Review 108, no. 3 (2020): 86. http://dx.doi.org/10.1353/tyr.2020.0074.
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Crist, Jake. "Midges." Yale Review 108, no. 3 (September 24, 2020): 86. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/yrev.13666.
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Hodgdon, Elisabeth A., Rebecca H. Hallett, Chase A. Stratton, and Yolanda H. Chen. "Diel patterns of emergence and reproductive behaviour in the invasive swede midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)." Canadian Entomologist 151, no. 04 (June 18, 2019): 510–20. http://dx.doi.org/10.4039/tce.2019.21.
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AbstractSwede midge (Contarinia nasturtii (Kieffer); Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) is a serious invasive pest of Brassica Linnaeus (Brassicaceae) oilseed and vegetable crops in Canada and the United States of America. Pheromone mating disruption is a promising new tactic for managing this difficult pest, but research is needed to determine how pheromone delivery can be optimised. With an understanding of swede midge diel mating patterns, pest managers could limit pheromone release to periods when midges are sexually active. We conducted a series of 24-hour trials to test whether swede midge exhibit diel periodicity of emergence, female calling, and male capture in pheromone traps. We found that females began releasing pheromones almost immediately following emergence within the first five hours after dawn. In the field, we found that males were most active from dawn until late morning, indicating that midges mate primarily during the first five hours of photophase. Low levels of reproductive activity during midday and nighttime hours present opportunities to turn off dispensers and reduce the cost of pheromone inputs in a swede midge mating disruption system.
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Rozo-Lopez, Paula, Berlin Londono-Renteria, and Barbara S. Drolet. "Venereal Transmission of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus by Culicoides sonorensis Midges." Pathogens 9, no. 4 (April 24, 2020): 316. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9040316.
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Culicoides sonorensis biting midges are well-known agricultural pests and transmission vectors of arboviruses such as vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). The epidemiology of VSV is complex and encompasses a broad range of vertebrate hosts, multiple routes of transmission, and diverse vector species. In temperate regions, viruses can overwinter in the absence of infected animals through unknown mechanisms, to reoccur the next year. Non-conventional routes for VSV vector transmission may help explain viral maintenance in midge populations during inter-epidemic periods and times of adverse conditions for bite transmission. In this study, we examined whether VSV could be transmitted venereally between male and female midges. Our results showed that VSV-infected females could venereally transmit virus to uninfected naïve males at a rate as high as 76.3% (RT-qPCR), 31.6% (virus isolation) during the third gonotrophic cycle. Additionally, VSV-infected males could venereally transmit virus to uninfected naïve females at a rate as high as 76.6% (RT-qPCR), 49.2% (virus isolation). Immunofluorescent staining of micro-dissected reproductive organs, immunochemical staining of midge histological sections, examination of internal reproductive organ morphology, and observations of mating behaviors were used to determine relevant anatomical sites for virus location and to hypothesize the potential mechanism for VSV transmission in C. sonorensis midges through copulation.
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KAUFMANN, CHRISTIAN, FRANCIS SCHAFFNER, DOMINIK ZIEGLER, VALENTIN PFLÜGER, and ALEXANDER MATHIS. "Identification of field-caught Culicoides biting midges using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry." Parasitology 139, no. 2 (October 19, 2011): 248–58. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0031182011001764.
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SUMMARYCulicoides biting midges are of great importance as vectors of pathogens and elicitors of allergy. As an alternative for the identification of these tiny insects, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was evaluated. Protein mass fingerprints were determined for 4–5 field-caught reference (genetically confirmed) individuals of 12 Culicoides species from Switzerland, C. imicola from France, laboratory-reared C. nubeculosus and a non-biting midge. Reproducibility and accuracy of the database was tested in a validation study by analysing 108 mostly field-caught target Culicoides midges and 3 specimens from a non-target species. A reference database of biomarker mass sets containing between 24 and 38 masses for the different species could be established. Automated database-based identification was achieved for 101 of the 108 specimens. The remaining 7 midges required manual full comparison with the reference spectra yielding correct identification for 6 specimens and an ambiguous result for the seventh individual. Specimens of the non-target species did not yield identification. Protein profiling by MALDI-TOF, which is compatible with morphological and genetic identification of specimens, can be used as an alternative, quick and inexpensive tool to accurately identify Culicoides biting midges collected in the field.
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Kočišová, A., Z. Kasičová, M. Halán, and P. Komorová. "Occurrence of Biting Midges (Diptera: Culicoides) on Dairy Farms in Eastern Slovakia in Relation to Abiotic Factors." Folia Veterinaria 65, no. 4 (December 1, 2021): 47–56. http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/fv-2021-0037.
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Abstract Within the scope of our research, we have performed 59 trapping sessions and collected 15,756 biting midges from 20 species at four farms (Kluknava, Ostrov, Turňa nad Bodovou and Zemplínska Teplica), The most frequent types of captured insects were representatives of the Avaritia subgenus, C. obsoletus/C. scoticus, representing on average 85.1 % (13,295 individuals) of the fauna of the biting midges, with the exception of the farm in Ostrov where this group represented only 41.7 % of the fauna. At this particular farm, the most frequently trapped insects belonged to the Culicoides subgenus (54.1 %), in particular the C. bysta, C. lupicaris, C. newsteadi, C. Pulicaris and C. Punctatus species. During the trapping sessions, we monitored factors affecting the number of trapped biting midges, such as the temperature, relative air humidity and airflow rate: the air temperature during the trapping of the biting midges ranged from 9.8 to 26.2 °C; the relative air humidity ranged from 35.1 to 100 %; and the air flow rate ranged from no wind to a wind velocity of 8.2 m.s-1. However, in the final evaluation, we failed to observe a statistically significant correlation between the air flow and the number of trapped biting midges. The largest amounts of biting midges were trapped at temperatures ranging from 15.8 to 24.6 °C and at a relative air humidity ranging from 54.2 % to 68.6 %. While monitoring the seasonal dynamics of the physiological conditions of biting midge females at the selected farms, we confirmed that during the period from June to August, the most frequently trapped females were parous (50.1 %; 7,826 individuals). In addition, nulliparous females comprised 43.8 % (6,842 individuals) and were continuously trapped throughout the season (April— November).
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Simamora, Kiki Fajrina. "Morfometri parasitoid nyamuk ganjur alang-alang asal Kabupaten Cianjur, Jawa Barat." Jurnal Entomologi Indonesia 19, no. 1 (June 7, 2022): 62–76. http://dx.doi.org/10.5994/jei.19.1.62.
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Imperata cylindrica is a species of grass that causes economic losses. One of the insects reported to have the potential as a biological control agent for Imperata is the cogongrass gall midges, Orseolia javanica (Diptera: Cecidomyiiae). The development of the cogongrass gall midges is influenced by its natural enemies, not much is known about the parasitoids of this cogongrass gall midges. This study aims to identify and describe the morphological and morphometric characters of the cogongrass gall midges parasitoids. This research was conducted from July 2018 to June 2019. The gall cogongrass was collected from bunds rice fields in Cianjur District, West Java. Rearing the gall cogongrass and morphometric measurements was conducted at the Insect Biosystematics Laboratory, Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, IPB University. Three species of parasitoids were found in cogongrass gall midges, i.e. Platygaster orseoliae (Hymenoptera: Platygasteridae), Aprostocetus sp. (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), and Propicroscytus mirificus (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae). The results of morphometric measurements of the parasitoids cogongrass gall midge showed that the female body length of P. orseoliae is 0.65–0.98 mm, and the male body length is 0.69–1.07 mm. The body length of the female Aprostocetus sp. is 1.51–2.02 mm and male body length is 1.13–1.29 mm. Female body length of P. mirificus is 4.14–4.46 mm. Principal component analysis showed that the parasitoid P. orseoliae had no difference between males and females, Aprotocetus sp. females have a larger body size than males, and P. mirificus has the largest body size compared to other parasitoids.
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Treacy, M. F., R. D. Parker1, J. H. Benedict, R. M. Anderson, and K. M. Schmidt. "Insecticide Control of Sorghum Midge as Influenced by Type of Insecticide and Frequency of Application, 1987." Insecticide and Acaricide Tests 13, no. 1 (January 1, 1988): 278–79. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/iat/13.1.278a.
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Abstract A small-plot field study was conducted at the Texas A&M University Agricultural Research and Extension Center at Corpus Christi. Seven treatments and an untreated check were compared in 4-row × 30-ft plots of sorghum planted 16 Apr on 38-inch rows. Treatments and the untreated check were replicateti 4 times in a randomized complete block design. Due to heavy rainfall, muddy soil conditions, and insufficient numbers of midges, treatment applications were not initiated until 95% of the panicles were in bloom, with the upper third of each panicle having complete bloom. Treatments were applied with a CO2-pressurized backpack sprayer calibrated to deliver 3.5 gal total spray/acre through size 3X hollow-cone nozzles (2 nozzles/row) at 35 psi. All treatments were initially applied on 18 Jun, and all but 2 treatments were applied again on 21 Jun. On 23 Jun, 90-95% of the panicles had completed bloom and were no longer susceptible to further attacks by adult midges, thus treatment applications were discontinued. Counts of adult midges were made in the untreated plots on both spray dates to monitor midge abundance during the study. At soft-dough stage, percent seed damaged by midges was visually estimated for the middle 2 rows of each plot. Also, panicles were harvested from a 13.5-ft section of row in each plot for yield analysis.
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Romiti, Federico, Romolo Fochetti, Adele Magliano, Vittorio Vinciguerra, Arianna Ermenegildi, and Claudio De Liberato. "First Report of Culicoides Biting Midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) Attacking People in Italy, With the Description of Extreme Larval Breeding Sites and Diurnal Activity of Culicoides riethi." Journal of Medical Entomology 59, no. 2 (December 31, 2021): 772–76. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjab212.
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Abstract Biting midges of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) play a paramount role in medical and veterinary entomology worldwide, particularly as vectors of pathogens which cause animal diseases. Biting midges are also infamous for the nuisance they provoke to people involved in outdoor activities. Nonetheless, attacks to man by midges from any Culicoides species have not been reported in Italy. An entomological investigation was performed following repeated attacks to man in a nature park near Rome (central Italy). The study area is a natural degassing zone, characterized by widespread hazardous gas emissions of CO2 and H2S, with several water bodies including permanent lakes, ponds, and pools. The biting midge C. riethi Kieffer, 1914 was very active during daytime in the period April–June. The species has been identified as responsible for attacks on people in the area. An in-depth analysis of the extreme environmental conditions revealed the ability of larvae to thrive in several water bodies, characterized by an extremely low pH and a high concentration of sulfates.
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Chang, Kaowen Grace, and Hungju Chien. "The Effects of Landscape Elements on the Breeding Sites of Bloodsucking Midge." Sustainability 13, no. 5 (March 6, 2021): 2863. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su13052863.
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Forcipomyia taiwana, a bloodsucking midge that is one of the most irritating biting pests in Taiwan, has raised widespread public concern. However, we have little information about the extent to which landscape factors affect their potential habitats. As a result, landscape professionals do not have enough information to implement preventive strategies to control midges. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between landscaping and algae growth for larval breeding sites of Forcipomyia taiwana. The intent is to determine the environmental strategies that make the planned landscape unsuitable for midges to breed. GIS based on data collected from 16 constructed landscape sites (317,187 m2 in total) was utilized to spatially examine the relationship between the occurrence of the algae for midge breeding sites and the ground surface types and planting characteristics in each landscape. The results revealed that the potential midge habitats can be controlled through careful selection of the ground surface, the improvement of the site drainage, and choosing plants with the appropriate characteristics. Apart from choosing the appropriate type of paving surface, the integrity of the paving installation and the coverage of the ecological surface also influence prevention efficacy.
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Bodziarczyk, Jan, Marcin Widlak, and Malwina Siwy. "The first record of the yew gall midge Taxomyia taxi (Inchbald, 1861) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in the Polish Carpathians, southern Poland." Polish Journal of Entomology 85, no. 1 (March 1, 2016): 135–46. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/pjen-2016-0007.
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Abstract The yew gall midge Taxomyia taxi has been found for the first time in the Polish Carpathians. The site lies in the “Yews in Mogilno” (“Cisy w Mogilnie”) nature reserve in the western part of the Beskid Niski (Low Beskid) Mountains. The species occurs over an area of ca. 37 ha, mostly in the northern, lowest-lying parts of the reserve. 19.4% of the inspected specimens of the European yew were found to exhibit signs of feeding by gall midges. Most of the infested yews (86.7%) were barren, 8.2% were females and 5.1% males. The yew gall midges displayed no clear preferences in relation to the health status of the host plants, although yews with a healthier photosynthetic apparatus were selected more often.
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Maia, Valéria Cid, and Barbara Proença. "Insect galls on Mikania glomerata (Asteraceae) in an area of Atlantic Forest in Viçosa (Minas Gerais, Brazil)." Check List 12, no. 6 (December 31, 2016): 2026. http://dx.doi.org/10.15560/12.6.2026.
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Mikania glomerata (Asteraceae) hosts eight gall midge species (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), each one responsible for a different gall morphotype. In a survey conducted in Recanto das Cigarras, Viçosa, Minas Gerais state (Brazil), we found three of these eight gall midges: Liodiplosis cylindrica, L. spherica, and Asphondylia glomeratae, each exhibiting a low infestation rate. This study offers an updated geographic distribution of these three gall midge species, recorded for the first time in Minas Gerais state.
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Wise, Ian L., and Robert J. Lamb. "Diapause and emergence of Sitodiplosis mosellana (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) and its parasitoid Macroglenes penetrans (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)." Canadian Entomologist 136, no. 1 (February 2004): 77–90. http://dx.doi.org/10.4039/n03-032.
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AbstractThe requirements for successful diapause of field-collected larvae and emergence of the adult wheat midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin), and its egg parasitoid Macroglenes penetrans (Kirby) were investigated in the laboratory. Both species showed little decline in survival for up to 5 weeks at 20 °C in dry wheat spikes and could successfully diapause in wheat spikes at 0 °C for at least 200 d, although larvae usually drop to the soil to diapause. Both species diapaused successfully in clay loam and fine quartz sand, but survival was lower in vermiculite or coarse activated clay. Diapause was completed successfully at soil temperatures of −5 to 2.5 °C, and both species survived for at least 500 d at 2.5 °C with no increase in mortality. Larval survival declined after 120 d at −10 °C. Usually more than 95% of all surviving wheat midges emerged as adults after a single diapause period of 100 d or more, but up to 5% of wheat midges and 12%−57% of parasitoids did not emerge until they were exposed to a second cold period. Postdiapausal larvae pupated and adult wheat midges emerged at constant temperatures of 16, 20, 26, and 28 °C with no differences in mortality, although none emerged at 10 °C. The timing of wheat midge emergence was temperature dependent, requiring 306 degree-days above a threshold of 9 °C. Degree-day requirements and soil temperatures from a nearby weather station accurately predicted the average timing of emergence in the field, but not the year-to-year variation in date of 50% emergence. The wheat midge and its parasitoid are well adapted to the conditions they encounter in their range in western Canada. Methods for rearing both species through diapause and adult emergence are described.
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Spinelli, Gustavo R., Pablo I. Marino, and Melina Mauad. "Diptera, Ceratopogonidae Newman, 1834: New records of Biting and Predaceous midges from Iberá wetlands, Argentina." Check List 8, no. 5 (September 1, 2012): 886. http://dx.doi.org/10.15560/8.5.886.
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The first Argentina records of four species of biting and predaceous midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are provided from the Iberá wetlands in Corrientes Province: Forcipomyia (Euprojoannisia) unica Bystrak and Wirth, Echinohelea blantoni Wirth, Neobezzia fittkaui Wirth and Ratanaworabhan and Paryphoconus grandis Macfie. This is the first record of the predaceous midge genus, Echinohelea Macfie, from Argentina.
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Svobodová, Milena, Lenka Zídková, Ivan Čepička, Miroslav Oborník, Julius Lukeš, and Jan Votýpka. "Sergeia podlipaevi gen. nov., sp. nov. (Trypanosomatidae, Kinetoplastida), a parasite of biting midges (Ceratopogonidae, Diptera)." International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 57, no. 2 (February 1, 2007): 423–32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1099/ijs.0.64557-0.
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Three strains of a trypanosomatid protozoan were isolated from the midguts of two naturally infected species of biting midges [Culicoides (Oecacta) festivipennis and Culicoides (Oecacta) truncorum] and characterized by light and electron microscopy and by molecular techniques. Morphological characteristics and sequences of the 18S rRNA, 5S rRNA, spliced leader RNA and glycosomal glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase genes indicate that the studied flagellates represent a novel phylogenetic lineage within the Trypanosomatidae. Based on phylogenetic analyses, the novel endosymbiont-free, monoxenous trypanosomatid was classified as Sergeia podlipaevi gen. nov., sp. nov. Interestingly, it is closely related to another trypanosomatid species that parasitizes the sand fly Lutzomyia evansi, a blood-sucking dipteran from South America. The type strain of S. podlipaevi sp. nov., ICUL/CZ/2000/CER3, was obtained from Malpighian tubes. Of 2518 females of seven species of biting midges trapped in the Czech Republic, more than 1.5 % were infected by trypanosomatid parasites. An unrelated insect species, Culicoides (Monoculicoides) nubeculosus, was experimentally infected with S. podlipaevi, demonstrating that its host range extends to different subgenera of biting midges.
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Sick, Franziska, Martin Beer, Helge Kampen, and Kerstin Wernike. "Culicoides Biting Midges—Underestimated Vectors for Arboviruses of Public Health and Veterinary Importance." Viruses 11, no. 4 (April 24, 2019): 376. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/v11040376.
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Culicoides biting midges, small hematophagous dipterans, are the demonstrated or putative vectors of multiple arboviruses of veterinary and public health importance. Despite its relevance in disease spread, the ceratopogonid genus Culicoides is still a largely neglected group of species, predominantly because the major human-affecting arboviruses are considered to be transmitted by mosquitoes. However, when a pathogen is detected in a certain vector species, a thorough search for further vectors often remains undone and, therefore, the relevant vector species may remain unknown. Furthermore, for many hematophagous arthropods, true vector competence is often merely suspected and not experimentally proven. Therefore, we aim to illuminate the general impact of Culicoides biting midges and to summarize the knowledge about biting midge-borne disease agents using the order Bunyavirales, the largest and most diverse group of RNA viruses, as an example. When considering only viruses evidentially transmitted by Culicoides midges, the Simbu serogroup (genus Orthobunyavirus) is presumably the most important group within the virus order. Its members are of great veterinary importance, as a variety of simbuviruses, e.g., the species Akabane orthobunyavirus or Schmallenberg orthobunyavirus, induces severe congenital infections in pregnant animals. The major zoonotic representative of this serogroup occurs in South and Central America and causes the so-called Oropouche fever, an acute febrile illness in humans.
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Nayduch, Dana, Vijay Shankar, Mary K. Mills, Tanner Robl, Barbara S. Drolet, Mark G. Ruder, Erin D. Scully, and Christopher A. Saski. "Transcriptome Response of Female Culicoides sonorensis Biting Midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) to Early Infection with Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (EHDV-2)." Viruses 11, no. 5 (May 24, 2019): 473. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/v11050473.
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Female Culicoides sonorensis biting midges are vectors of epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV), which causes morbidity and mortality in wild and domesticated ruminants. The aims in this study were to identify key changes in female midge transcriptome profiles occurring during early infection with EHDV-2. Midges were fed either negative control bloodmeals or bloodmeals containing EHDV-2 and transcriptomes were acquired at 36 h through deep sequencing. Reads were de novo assembled into a transcriptome comprised of 18,754 unigenes. Overall, there were 2401 differentially expressed unigenes and ~60% were downregulated in response to the virus (953 up; 1448 down). Downstream Gene Ontology enrichment, KEGG pathway mapping, and manual analyses were used to identify the effect of virus ingestion at both the gene and pathway levels. Downregulated unigenes were predominantly assigned to pathways related to cell/tissue structure and integrity (actin cytoskeleton, adherens junction, focal adhesion, hippo signaling), calcium signaling, eye morphogenesis and axon guidance. Unigenes attributed to sensory functions (especially vision), behavior, learning and memory were largely downregulated. Upregulated unigenes included those coding for innate immune processes, olfaction and photoreceptor pigments. Our results suggest that midges respond to virus infection as soon as 36 h post-ingestion, and that EHDV-2 may have a significant phenotypic effect on sensory and neural tissues.
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SZADZIEWSKI, RYSZARD, ELŻBIETA SONTAG, WIESŁAW KRZEMIŃSKI, and JACEK SZWEDO. "Two new genera of insectivorous biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber." Palaeoentomology 2, no. 6 (December 20, 2019): 657–64. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/palaeoentomology.2.6.17.
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Two new fossil genera and two new species of biting midges from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber are described and illustrated: Burmahelea neli Szadziewski & Sontag gen. et sp. nov. (Atriculicoidini) and Nelohelea neli Szadziewski & Sontag gen. et sp. nov. (Ceratopogonini). This is the oldest record (99 Ma) of a predatory biting midge in the extant tribe Ceratopogonini and the subfamily Ceratopogoninae.
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Karmakar, Moumita, Joshua Kurek, Heather Haig, and Brian F. Cumming. "Consensus among multiple trophic levels during high- and low-water stands over the last two millennia in a northwest Ontario lake." Quaternary Research 81, no. 2 (March 2014): 251–59. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.yqres.2013.12.006.
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AbstractWe investigated the modern distribution of fossil midges within a dimictic lake and explored downcore patterns of inferred lake depths over the last 2000 years from previously published proxies. Modern midge distribution within Gall Lake showed a consistent and predictable pattern related to the lake-depth gradient with recognizable assemblages characteristic of shallow-water, mid-depth and profundal environments. Interpretations of downcore changes in midge assemblages, in conjunction with quantitative lake-depth inferences across a priori defined (based on diatom data) ~ 500-yr wet and dry periods, demonstrated that both invertebrate and algal assemblages exhibited similar timing and nature of ecological responses. Midges were quantified by their relative abundance, concentrations and an index of Chaoborus to chironomids, and all showed the greatest differences between the wet and dry periods. During the low lake-level period of the Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA: AD 900 to 1400), profundal chironomids declined, shallow-water and mid-depth chironomids increased, chironomid-inferred lake level declined and the Chaoborus-to-chironomid index decreased. The coherence between multiple trophic levels provides strong evidence of lower lake levels in Gall Lake during the MCA.
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Robinson, John R. C., and George L. Teetes. "Insecticides for Suppression of Sorghum Midge on Dryland Grain Sorghum, 1987." Insecticide and Acaricide Tests 13, no. 1 (January 1, 1988): 277. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/iat/13.1.277a.
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Abstract Grain sorghum (1.8 acres) was planted 19 May on rows spaced 40 inches apart. Twelve rows of mixed-hybrid sorghums of varying maturity ranges were planted prior to and adjacent to the test plot to increase abundance of sorghum midge during anthesis of sorghum panicles in the test plots. Five insecticide treatments and an untreated check were compared in a randomized block design with 4 replications. Experimental plots were 8 rows wide and 80 ft long. Applications were made to the middle 6 rows with a high-clearance self-propelled sprayer. Insecticide applications began when 30-40% of the panicles were flowering and when average adult midge density was 0.7 midges/panicle. Treatments were applied 24 and 30 Jul and 4 Aug. Adult midge density was determined 1 day prior to application of insecticide treatments. Sampling consisted of securing and collecting individual sorghum panicles in plastic bags. Samples were examined in the laboratory and midges were counted. Prior to the first insecticide application, midge density was determined from sampling 25 randomly selected panicles/replication. On the 2 subsequent sampling days, 5 panicles were sampled from each treatment plot. Visual estimates of the percentage of midge-damaged spikelets were made by 4 independent observers, with each observer rating 10 randomly selected panicles/plot. Panicles were hand harvested from 2, 2-m sections of treated row/plot. The harvested sorghum panicles were threshed, and the grain was weighed. Data were analyzed by conventional analysis of variance and multiple comparison procedures.
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Rector, Brian G., Raymond J. Gagné, Juan Manuel Perilla López, Kirk C. Tonkel, Marie-Claude Bon, Fatiha Guermache, and Massimo Cristofaro. "Taxonomic Description of Stenodiplosis tectori n. sp. (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), a Seed Parasite of Cheatgrass, Anisantha tectorum, Based on Morphological and Mitochondrial DNA Data." Insects 12, no. 8 (August 22, 2021): 755. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/insects12080755.
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Cheatgrass is an annual grass species from Eurasia that has become invasive in much of western North America. It has been implicated in recent increases in the frequency, size, and intensity of wildfires, contributing to severe economic, environmental, and social destruction. In order to reduce this damage, the USDA-ARS established a classical biological control program against cheatgrass. In 2018 and 2019, adult gall midges were collected emerging from cheatgrass seed heads collected at several sites in Bulgaria and Greece; this is the first gall midge ever recorded from cheatgrass. Morphological comparisons with related midge species recorded from other plant hosts revealed that this midge from cheatgrass is a new species, described here as Stenodiplosis tectori n. sp. This status was supported by sequence comparisons of a barcode region of the gene encoding the mitochondrial cytochrome c subunit I (CO1) protein in Stenodiplosis tectori n. sp. and three congeners. The present study is the first to report MT-CO1 data in the genus Stenodiplosis. The ingroup Stenodiplosis tectori n. sp. collected in the Balkans grouped in one phylogenetic supported clade, with an average K2P-distance from its closest related congener, S. sorghicola, of 7.73% (SD = 1.10). The findings indicated relatively high year-to-year within-population diversity. Implications for this gall midge’s utility as a biological control agent of cheatgrass are discussed.
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Reynolds, Andy. "More on midges." Physics World 31, no. 3 (March 2018): 25. http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/2058-7058/31/3/26.
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Cartwright, B., T. Royer, and D. Fernandez. "Evaluation of Insecticides to Control Sorghum Midge in South Texas, 1984." Insecticide and Acaricide Tests 10, no. 1 (January 1, 1985): 239–40. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/iat/10.1.239.
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Abstract Fourteen insecticides treatments were compared in 4-row by 50-ft plots of grain sorghum planted 30 Mar, ‘84 at the TAMU-Hoblitzelle Farm near Mercedes, TX. Each insecticide and rate was tested on 2 timing regimes: 3 and 6-day schedules. Plots were arranged in a split-plot design with treatments as main plots and timing as sub-plots. Applications were initiated when 15% of the panicles were in bloom and continued on schedide until 90% had completed bloom. This resulted in 4 total sprays being applied at 3-day intervals: (5, 8, 11 and 14 Jun) and 2 sprays applied at 6-day intervals (5 and 11 Jun). All treatments except the Pydrin ULV were applied with a CO2-powered sprayer in 5 gal water/ac using a four-row (1 TX4 nozzle/row) tractor-mounted boom. The Pydrin ULV was applied in cottonseed oil at 1 qt/ac with electrically powered controlled droplet applicators (Micro-Max). Because of an equipment failure, the CDA oil application was initiated 3 days later than all other treatments. Efficacy of the insecticides was evaluated by measuring yield and rating heads for damage using a scale of 1-10, based on the % seeds damaged in each panicle. A border of 4 rows or 13 ft was sprayed along all sides of the test area except the northern edge to minimize edge effects caused by migrating midges. An unsprayed single row border was maintained between each plot to even the distribution of midges. The number of Orius spp. were counted on 10 panicles/plot in certain treatments. Entire plots (4 row X 50 ft) were machine harvested and weighed. To monitor midge pressure, daily counts of adult midges were made in the untreated plots. Midge populations in the untreated check ranged from 1.1-45/panicle during blooming period.
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Sunantaraporn, Sakone, Arunrat Thepparat, Atchara Phumee, Sriwatapron Sor-Suwan, Rungfar Boonserm, Glenn Bellis, and Padet Siriyasatien. "Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) as potential vectors for Leishmania martiniquensis and Trypanosoma sp. in northern Thailand." PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 15, no. 12 (December 15, 2021): e0010014. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0010014.
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Biting midges of genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are the vectors of several pathogenic arboviruses and parasites of humans and animals. Several reports have suggested that biting midges might be a potential vector of Leishmania parasites. In this study, we screened for Leishmania and Trypanosoma DNA in biting midges collected from near the home of a leishmaniasis patient in Lamphun province, northern Thailand by using UV-CDC light traps. The identification of biting midge species was based on morphological characters and confirmed using the Cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. The detection of Leishmania and Trypanosoma DNA was performed by amplifying the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) and small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) genes, respectively. All the amplified PCR amplicons were cloned and sequenced. The collected 223 biting midges belonged to seven species (Culicoides mahasarakhamense, C. guttifer, C. innoxius, C. sumatrae, C. huffi, C. oxystoma, and C. palpifer). The dominant species found in this study was C. mahasarakhamense (47.53%). Leishmania martiniquensis DNA was detected in three samples of 106 specimens of C. mahasarakhamense tested indicating a field infection rate of 2.83%, which is comparable to reported rates in local phlebotomines. Moreover, we also detected Trypanosoma sp. DNA in one sample of C. huffi. To our knowledge, this is the first molecular detection of L. martiniquensis in C. mahasarakhamense as well as the first detection of avian Trypanosoma in C. huffi. Blood meal analysis of engorged specimens of C. mahasarakhamense, C. guttifer, and C. huffi revealed that all specimens had fed on avian, however, further studies of the host ranges of Culicoides are needed to gain a better insight of potential vectors of emerging leishmaniasis. Clarification of the vectors of these parasites is also important to provide tools to establish effective disease prevention and control programs in Thailand.
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Robinson, John R. C., and George L. Teetes. "Chemical Control of Sorghum Midge on Grain Sorghum, 1986." Insecticide and Acaricide Tests 12, no. 1 (January 1, 1987): 270. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/iat/12.1.270.
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Abstract 2.2 acres of grain sorghum were planted 15 May on rows spaced 40 inches apart. Twelve rows of mixed hybrid sorghums of varying maturity ranges were planted prior and adjacent to the test plot site to increase midge populations. Nine insecticide treatments and an untreated check were compared in a randomized block design with 4 replications. Experimental plots were 8 rows wide and 45 ft long, but only the middle 4 rows were sprayed. Applications were made with a high-clearance, self-propelled sprayer using TX-3 hollow cone nozzles and calibrated to deliver 5.9 GPA at 42 psi and 3 mph. Insecticide applications began when 30-40% of the panicles were flowering and when average adult midge density was 2.5 midges/panicle. Treatments were applied 11, 15 and 19 Jul. The first application was made under slightly adverse wind conditions (10-15 mph gusts). Adult midge density was determined 1 day prior to application of insecticide treatments. Sampling consisted of securing and collecting individual sorghum panicles in plastic bags. Samples were examined in the laboratory and midges were counted. Prior to the first insecticide application, midge density was determined from sampling 25 randomly selected panicles per replication. On the 2 subsequent sampling days, 5 panicles were sampled from each treatment plot. Visual estimates of percent midge damaged spikelets were made by 6 independent observers, with each observer rating 10 randomly selected panicles/plot. Panicles were hand harvested from one 20-ft section of treated row per plot. The harvested sorghum panicles were threshed and the grain was weighed. Data were analyzed by conventional analysis of variance and multiple comparison procedures.
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De Sousa Farias, Emanuelle, Antonio Marques Pereira Júnior, Jéssica Feijó Almeida, Felipe Arley Costa Pessoa, and Jansen Fernandes Medeiros. "Hematophagous biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from Tefé municipality, Amazonas state, Brazil." Check List 11, no. 4 (June 13, 2015): 1676. http://dx.doi.org/10.15560/11.4.1676.
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Some species of biting midges are vectors of pathogens that cause disease in vertebrates, including humans. The aim of this study was to survey the biting midge fauna in Tefé, Amazonas, Brazil. Culicoides were collected using HP light traps during January, February, and April 2013. Midges collected included one species from the genus Lectoconops that bites humans. A total of 248 Culicoides individuals were collected, representing 19 species from two subgenera (Haematomyidium and Hoffmania) and four informal species groups (carpenteri, leoni, fluvialis, and reticulatus). Twelve individuals of L. brasiliensis were also collected, and this is the first record of L. brasiliensis in Amazonas. Three species of Culicoides were also recorded for the first time in Amazonas, including Culicoides aitkeni, C. glabellus and C. ocumarensis. The most abundant species were C. hylas (81 individuals), and C. foxi (27). The Culicoides fauna in Tefé is diverse, and proven vectors such as C. paraensis and C. insignis were found.
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Dinh, Emily T. N., Juan Pablo Gomez, Jeremy P. Orange, Max A. Morris, Katherine A. Sayler, Bethany L. McGregor, Erik M. Blosser, Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena, Samantha M. Wisely, and Jason K. Blackburn. "Modeling Abundance of Culicoides stellifer, a Candidate Orbivirus Vector, Indicates Nonrandom Hemorrhagic Disease Risk for White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)." Viruses 13, no. 7 (July 9, 2021): 1328. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/v13071328.
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(1) Background: Hemorrhagic diseases in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are caused by orbiviruses and have significant economic impact on the deer ranching industry in the United States. Culicoides stellifer is a suspected vector of epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV), with recent field evidence from Florida, but its natural history is poorly understood. Studying the distribution and abundance of C. stellifer across the landscape can inform our knowledge of how virus transmission can occur locally. We may then target vector management strategies in areas where viral transmission can occur. (2) Methods: Here, we used an occupancy modeling approach to estimate abundance of adult C. stellifer females at various physiological states to determine habitat preferences. We then mapped midge abundance during the orbiviral disease transmission period (May–October) in Florida. (3) Results: We found that overall, midge abundance was positively associated with sites in closer proximity to large-animal feeders. Additionally, midges generally preferred mixed bottomland hardwood and agricultural/sand/water habitats. Female C. stellifer with different physiological states preferred different habitats. (4) Conclusions: The differences in habitat preferences between midges across states indicate that disease risk for deer is heterogeneous across this landscape. This can inform how effective vector management strategies should be implemented.
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Des Marteaux, Lauren E., and Rebecca H. Hallett. "Swede midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) diapause initiation under stable conditions: not a family affair." Canadian Entomologist 151, no. 04 (June 7, 2019): 465–74. http://dx.doi.org/10.4039/tce.2019.33.
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AbstractLarvae of the swede midge, Contarinia nasturtii (Kieffer) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), rely on environmental cues to initiate the diapause programme. This facultative diapause strategy, which provides opportunities for both bet hedging and multivoltinism, likely contributed to the successful colonisation and spread of this invasive pest in North America. Population diapause incidence is variable even under relatively stable conditions (especially at the critical day length), yet the mechanisms influencing the developmental trajectory of individuals under such conditions are unknown. Here we approach the non-environmental (i.e., heritable) controls of this variation by comparing diapause frequencies within and among full-sibling swede midge families reared in one of two stable environments. Under warm, long-day conditions > 99% of swede midges pupated directly, while 86% of swede midges entered diapause under cool, short-day conditions. In the latter condition, most families exhibited mixed developmental trajectories (ranging from 36% to 96% diapause). This developmental variation among siblings indicates that the diapause induction threshold does not follow simple Mendelian inheritance with complete dominance for a particular allele, but may follow incomplete dominance or a more complex heredity. Alternatively, within-family diapause variation may result from maternal bet hedging or factors such as maternal age or larval nutrition.
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Keller, Troy A., and Emily M. Husted. "Dewatering as a non-toxic control of nuisance midge larvae in algal wastewater treatment floways." Water Science and Technology 71, no. 1 (November 5, 2014): 9–14. http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/wst.2014.442.
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Attached-algae floways have tremendous potential for use in wastewater treatment because natural algal communities show high nutrient removal efficiencies, have low operating costs, and are easy to maintain. Algal wastewater floways may also serve as a sustainable option for producing renewable energy because algae grow rapidly, are easily harvested, and can serve as a source of biomass for biofuel. However, pests such as chironomids (Diptera) colonize open channel periphyton floways and their larvae damage the biofilms. While pesticides can control midge larvae, little information is known about alternative, non-toxic controls. This study examined the effectiveness of periodic, short-term dewatering (4 hours every 9 days) on midge abundance and periphyton growth in 16 recirculating, outdoor floways (3 m long, 0.1 m wide). We compared midge abundance and algal accumulation (chlorophyll a, b, c, and pheophytin) among control (n = 8) and dewatered (n = 8) floways filled with secondarily treated wastewater (27 days, 10 hours of daylight). Dewatered flumes had 42% fewer midges and 28–49% lower algal productivity (as measured by chlorophyll a, b, c, and pheophytin pigments). Chlorophyll a production rates averaged (±1 SD) 0.5 ± 0.2 μg/cm2/day in control floways compared to 0.3 ± 0.1 μg/cm2/day dewatered floways. Short-term dewatering effectively reduced midges but also damaged periphyton. To maximize the recovery of periphyton biomass, operators should harvest periphyton from floways during dewatering events before periphyton is damaged by desiccation or direct exposure to sunlight.
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Hallett, Rebecca H., Sheila A. Goodfellow, and James D. Heal. "Monitoring and detection of the swede midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)." Canadian Entomologist 139, no. 5 (October 2007): 700–712. http://dx.doi.org/10.4039/n05-071.
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AbstractIn 2002, two types of light traps were compared against sticky yellow cards for efficiency and selectivity in capturing adult swede midge Contarinia nasturtii (Kieffer) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). Incandescent light traps were more efficient at capturing swede midge than were sticky traps. Incandescent light traps were more selective than blacklight traps and required less time for processing of samples and identification of captured midges. Emergence (2003 and 2004) and pheromone (2004) traps were used to assess swede midge population dynamics. Captures from emergence traps indicate up to five overlapping emergence events for swede midge each year. Emergence traps captured swede midge earlier in the season than pheromone traps, but pheromone-trap captures continued later in the season than those in emergence traps. Pheromone traps are small and portable, easy to maintain, and capture significantly more swede midge than emergence traps.
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Yang, Tian-Ci, Wen-Hua Xue, Hai-Zhen Zhang, Xiao Shen, Xiao-Hui Liu, Ze-Ying Bao, Chuan Chen, et al. "Phylogenetic Analysis of the Dominant Non-biting Midge Forcipomyia bikanni (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) around West Lake, Hangzhou, China." Journal of Entomological Science 57, no. 2 (March 29, 2022): 258–66. http://dx.doi.org/10.18474/jes21-29.
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Abstract The nonbiting midges are tiny insects with a wide distribution around West Lake, China. In this study, the seasonal dynamics of the local dominant midge species was investigated. Phylogenetic trees of this species also were analyzed to discover its evolutionary history. Ultraviolet (UV) light traps were used for surveillance around West Lake in the period from April 2017 to November 2018. External morphological identification was performed using a stereomicroscope. Two genes of adult female midges that encoded the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1) were sequenced and aligned online using GenBank nucleotide database and the Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis (MEGA) software 10.1.7. According to the field surveillance in 2017–2018, Forcipomyia bikanni Chan and LeRoux (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) is the representative dominant species of West Lake, with its activity peaking in August and October. The COI and ITS-1 gene sequences of F. bikanni (XH01-5) were 523 bp and 315 bp, respectively. The final phylogenetic tree of the COI implied that F. bikanni (XH01-5) has 97.9% significant similarity with conspecific F. bikanni (LC015045) from the adjacent Fujian Province, China (E-value ≤ 0.1%). Furthermore, the ITS-1 sequences with 98% likelihood showed the highest linkage between F. bikanni (XH01-5) and F. townsvillensis (Taylor) (HM775502-HM775504) with different branches. Thus, the final unrooted phylogenetic trees of COI and ITS-1 are essential tools for reconstructing the evolutionary histories of nonbiting midges.
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Calvo, J. H., B. Berzal, C. Calvete, M. A. Miranda, R. Estrada, and J. Lucientes. "Host feeding patterns of Culicoides species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) within the Picos de Europa National Park in northern Spain." Bulletin of Entomological Research 102, no. 6 (May 31, 2012): 692–97. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0007485312000284.
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AbstractBlood meal identification can provide information about the natural host-feeding patterns or preferences of Culicoides species. Such information could indirectly provide data indicating which reservoirs are significant in associated vector-borne diseases.We positively identified the host species through DNA sequencing of the cytochrome b gene in 144 of the 170 (84.7%) blood meal specimens tested. In the remaining samples, identification of the blood-meal source was unsuccessful, possibly due to the post-ingestion time prior to sampling or the availability of the species-specific cytochrome b gene sequences in the database. The majority of identified blood meals were derived from mammalian blood (95.8%), and only six contained chicken blood. We identified five species as mammalian hosts for Culicoides spp.: sheep (87.7%), human (6.5%), cattle (3.7%) and Savi's Pine Vole (Micrototus savii) (2.1%). The results suggested that large mammals, specifically ruminants, were most frequently fed upon by biting midges (Culicoides spp.), but evidence of opportunistic feeding behaviour was also found. Host feeding behaviour of Culicoides species may also be influenced by the relative abundance of a particular host species in the area being studied. In this sense, Savi's Pine Vole, a wild species, was found to be a locally relevant host and a putative reservoir for viruses transmitted by species of biting midges belonging to the Culicoides genus.Finally, feeding on multiple potential host species was observed. One midge acquired blood meals from human and chicken hosts, while four other midges fed on two different sheep.
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Zwick, Peter. "DISNEY, R.H.L. (1999): British Dixidae (Meniscus Midges) and Thaumaleidae (Trickle Midges)." Aquatic Insects 23, no. 4 (October 2001): 341–42. http://dx.doi.org/10.1076/aqin.23.4.341.4883.
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Fedotova, Z. A., G. M. Nakhibasheva, G. M. Mukhtarova, and A. G. Gasangadzhieva. "Phytophagous gall midges (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) of Dagestan: fauna, biology and distribution." South of Russia: ecology, development 17, no. 3 (October 9, 2022): 35–53. http://dx.doi.org/10.18470/1992-1098-2022-3-35-53.
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Aim. Based on original and bibliographic data, to compile a review of the fauna of gall midges in Dagestan, Russia, including information about host plants, gall formation, life cycles and distribution.Materials and Methods. The basis for the work were materials collected in the flat and mountainous parts of Dagestan. Standard methods were used: inspection of the plants, search and mass collection of galls and damage to plants in which larvae develop; rearing imago; making permanent preparations of larvae and adults.Results. For the first time, an overview of the gall midges of Dagestan is offered. 67 species of gall midges of 41 genera were identified, of which 39 species are new to Dagestan, including 13 species new to the Caucasus: Asphondylia hornigi Wachtl, 1880, A. menthae Kieffer, 1902, A. salviaflorae Fedotova, 2003, Lasioptera eryngii (Vallot, 1829), Rosomyia spiraeae Fedotova, 1987, Dracunculomyia saissanica Fedotova, 1999, Dasineura plicatrix (Loew, 1850), D. sisymbrii (Schrank, 1803), D. trifolii (Löw, 1874), D. tamaricicarpa Fedotova, 1983, Asiodiplosis hodukini Marikovskij, 1965, A. petrosimoniae (Fedotova, 1994), Seriphidomyia butakovi Fedotova, 2000. Of these the last 4 are new to Russia. Phytophage gall midges (64 species of 36 genera) were found on plants belonging to 23 families, 46 genera and 56 species. Of the 36 genera of gall midges, 28 (77.8%) are plant‐specific to plant families, including 9 out of 28 (32.1%) monotypic. The fauna is based on the Western Palearctic and Turanian species.Conclusion. A preliminary review of gall midges in Dagestan in comparison with data on adjacent territories, indicates a very poor study of gall midges in general. Identification of the species diversity and trophic relationships of gall midges which develop on adventitious, invasive and economically important plants of the Caucasus is relevant both for protected natural areas and recreational areas.
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Žiegytė, Rita, Rasa Bernotienė, and Vaidas Palinauskas. "Culicoides segnis and Culicoides pictipennis Biting Midges (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae), New Reported Vectors of Haemoproteus Parasites." Microorganisms 10, no. 5 (April 25, 2022): 898. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10050898.
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As bloodsuckers of birds, Culicoides biting midges (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) play an important role in the transmission of avian haemosporidian (Haemoproteus) parasites, which are prevalent in many bird populations and cause disease, pathology, or even mortality in their hosts. Information about the role of the various Culicoides species in the transmission of Haemoproteus parasites remains insufficient. This presents an obstacle for the better understanding of the epizootiology of haemoproteosis. The aim of this study was to determine new Culicoides species involved in the transmission of Haemoproteus parasites in the wild. Biting midges were collected using UV traps on the Curonian Spit, Lithuania. Only parous Culicoides females were investigated: they were identified and were diagnosed for the presence of Haemoproteus parasites using both microscopy and PCR-based methods. We collected and dissected 420 parous Culicoides females. PCR-based screening showed that 28 parous Culicoides biting midges were infected with avian Haemoproteus parasites. Haemoproteid DNA was detected in Culicoides kibunensis, Culicoides pictipennis, Culicoides festivipennis, Culicoides segnis, Culicoides pallidicornis, and Culicoides obsoletus biting midges. The DNA of Haemoproteus palloris, genetic lineage hWW1, was found for the first time in C. pallidicornis. Haemoproteus sporozoites were detected in the salivary glands of two Culicoides segnis biting midges. According to the PCR results, one female contained Haemoproteus tartakovskyi (genetic lineage hHAWF1) DNA and another Haemoproteus majoris (genetic lineage hCCF5) DNA. The sporozoites of Haemoproteus parasites were also detected in the salivary glands of four C. pictipennis biting midges using microscopy, and this finding was confirmed by PCR as Haemoproteus parabelopolskyi DNA (genetic lineage hSYAT02) was detected in three out of the four biting midges. The obtained results supplement existing information about Culicoides biting midges as natural vectors of Haemoproteus spp. and add two new Culicoides species to the vector list, showing the low specificity of these parasites for the invertebrate hosts.