Evaluation of Host-Derived Volatiles for Trapping Culicoides Biting Midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

Abstract

Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopognidae) cause pain and distress through blood feeding, and transmit viruses that threaten both animal and human health worldwide. There are few effective tools for monitoring and control of biting midges, with semiochemical-based strategies offering the advantage of targeting host-seeking populations. In previous studies, we identified the host preference of multiple Culicoides species, including Culicoides impunctatus, as well as cattle-derived compounds that modulate the behavioral responses of C. nubeculosus under laboratory conditions. Here, we test the efficacy of these compounds, when released at different rates, in attracting C. impunctatus under field conditions in Southern Sweden. Traps releasing 1-octen-3-ol, decanal, phenol, 4-methylphenol or 3-propylphenol, when combined with carbon dioxide (CO2), captured significantly higher numbers of C. impunctatus compared to control traps baited with CO2 alone, with low release rates (0.1 mg h−1, 1 mg h−1) being generally more attractive. In contrast, traps releasing octanal or (E)-2-nonenal at 1 mg h−1 and 10 mg h−1 collected significantly lower numbers of C. impunctatus than control traps baited with CO2 only. Nonanal and 2-ethylhexanol did not affect the attraction of C. impunctatus when compared to CO2 alone at any of the release rates tested. The potential use of these semiochemicals as attractants and repellents for biting midge control is discussed.

Two Odorant-Binding Proteins of the Dark Black Chafer (Holotrichia parallela) Display Preferential Binding to Biologically Active Host Plant Volatiles

“…Traps were placed in middle of the field, and each trap was located 60 m from any other trap, so that the individual treatments were 60 m apart. To avoid cross-contamination, only one compound was tested at each sub-site at any time, and each compound was tested at only one sub-site ( Isberg et al, 2017 ). Each trap was set to operate from 1 h before sunset until 1 h after sunset.…”

Analysis of Five Arboviruses and Culicoides Distribution on Cattle Farms in Jeollabuk-do, Korea

“…Surveillance has steadily been conducted in several countries to investigate the distribution of Culicoides that is a vector of arboviruses, and to test against target viruses for predicting the outbreak [ 2 , 22 , 23 ]. As these investigations have been carried out for a long time, haematophagous vector collection methods have been developed on a variety of occasions, such as collection means using UV light with a wide range of wavelengths [ 24 ], and traps in which carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) is released at diverse concentrations to attract Culicoides [ 25 ]. They showed that the standard CDC UV light trap collected the Culicoides significantly more than the normal LED trap, and CO 2 trap releasing decanal or phenol collected highly compared to trap with CO 2 alone.…”

“…These results will be a useful source to collect Culicoides more effectively. In addition, new species of Culicoides as a vector of arboviruses are continuously being discovered [ 25 – 27 ]. In Korea, new Culicoides species were discovered in 2013 [ 28 ].…”

Influence of light and kairomone baiting systems on trap collections of biting midges in southern Sweden

“…The release rate of 500 ml/min used is similar to that applied previously to trap biting midges (Cilek and Kline 2002, Mands et al 2004, Harrup et al 2012). The third baiting system tested was the Model 1012‐CO 2 with CO 2 release supplemented with 100 μl 1‐octen‐3‐ol (racemic mixture, 98 % pure, Sigma‐Aldrich Chemie GmbH, Steinheim, Germany), released through holes (16 mm Ø) drilled in the lids of three polyethylene vials (Kartell, Noviglio, Italy; H: 32.9 mm, Ø: 22.8 mm (Isberg et al 2017)). This resulted in a release rate of 6 mg/h, similar to that used in previous studies (Ritchie et al 1994, Mands et al 2004).…”

“…This resulted in a release rate of 6 mg/h, similar to that used in previous studies (Ritchie et al 1994, Mands et al 2004). The release system was developed in a preliminary study in which vials were weighed at 6 h intervals during continuous outdoor exposure to temperatures equivalent to field‐trapping conditions (Isberg et al 2017). Vials were attached to the trap using a metal wire at a point adjacent to the tube releasing the CO 2 and were replaced every 24 h. The fourth trap type used (Blacklight (UV) Model 1212.…”