Contributions to Culicoides Latreille, 1809 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) Fauna of Sinop Province

Abstract

In recent years, Sinop Province has become an important touristic center of Black Sea Region in Turkey. Akliman is also one of the most visited touristic areas of Sinop. It is notable that aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats in Akliman and surrounding areas are suitable reproduction areas for Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). Biting female Culicoides midges irritate people and animals because they feed by blood sucking. Thus, the study aimed to determine the species of the genus in Akliman District of Sinop Province, which is little investigated. The present study was conducted in 2014 and 2015. The study area was divided into three stations. Specimens were collected using CDC miniature light trap and black fluorescent lamp light trap at these stations, which were kept inside bottles with 70% ethyl alcohol. Culicoides specimens were identified using steromicroscope and light microscope. A total of 15 species of the Culicoides genus were identified in the study area.