Abundance, diversity and temporal activity of adult Culicoides spp. associated with cattle in West Bengal, India

Abstract

Relative abundance, species composition and temporal activity of Culicoides midges were studied for a period of 2 years (2012–2014) using suction ultra violet light traps at two sites located in the agriculture heartland of West Bengal, India. Surveillance in close proximity to cattle recorded predominance of five species with C oxystoma and C. peregrinus as the most dominant species followed by C. fulvus, C. innoxius and C. anophelis. The temporal activity of midges was investigated for seven consecutive nights at one site in August‐September, 2012 and the predominant species was Culicoides oxystoma followed by Culicoides peregrinus. All of the species exhibited crepuscular activity with their flight activity increasing from dusk to dawn. Engorged adults constituted dominant age group in collections. Studies on population ecology of the adults midges are of considerable importance predicting for the epidemicity of midge‐borne diseases in cattle.

Host Landing And Diel Activity of Potent Vectors of Bluetongue Disease, Culicoides Oxystoma and Culicoides Peregrinus

“…The Culicoides species investigated in this study was reported to be vectors of important diseases associated with farm animals' worldwide [17]. Shielding of animals from attack of female Culicoides may be adopted as a measure to interrupt disease transmission hence information on peak activity of Culicoides from this region of world will be useful in disease management strategies [17]. The landing time and site of females belonging to C. oxystoma and C. peregrinus on the cattle in the early morning for the purpose of obtaining blood meal was observed.…”

“…The seroprevalence in goat (66.95%), sheep (57.66%) and cattle (52%) has been reported across 7 districts of West Bengal [15,16]. Despite such high seroprevalence, BTD outbreak remains unreported from West Bengal [17]. BTD outbreak and its economic implications has been well documented from the southern Indian states, however, there remains critical knowledge gaps and understanding of biology of the potent vector species prevalent in this tropical region.…”

“…BTD outbreak and its economic implications has been well documented from the southern Indian states, however, there remains critical knowledge gaps and understanding of biology of the potent vector species prevalent in this tropical region. Few studies on biology, ecology and taxonomy of the Culicoides spp were carried out [8,17]. Besides, [18] has reported prevalence of 7 putative vectors C.oxystoma, C. fulvus, C. orientalis, C. dumdumi, C. imicola, C. peregrinus and C. brevitarsis from southern India.…”

“…Besides, [18] has reported prevalence of 7 putative vectors C.oxystoma, C. fulvus, C. orientalis, C. dumdumi, C. imicola, C. peregrinus and C. brevitarsis from southern India. In the eastern state of West Bengal, C. fulvus, C. peregrinus and C. oxystoma were the prevalent species in mixed farms and cattle sheds [8,17] thereby posing considerable risk in the spread of disease. Further a coloured LED light trap based extensive surveillance program was also conducted in the same site to ascertain the prevalence of the aforesaid species in the cattle sheds [8].…”

“…in real time: ight activity and biting activity. The two study sites were selected at Burdwan district of West Bengal due to report of seroprevalence of BTV from this region [12] as well as high seasonal abundance of potent vector species of Culicoides associated with livestock from this district [17]. Moreover, the evaluation enables validation of the time and preferential landing of Culicoides on cattle body parts which is critical at farmer's level to reduce the host-vector contact.…”