Host Preference of Culicoides spp from Israel Based on Sensory Organs and Morphometry (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

Sensilla coeloconica ringed by microtrichia in host‐seeking biting midges

“…The distribution and number of sensilla coeloconica may be used as indicators of host preferences, regardless of whether the species is mammo‐ or ornithophilic. In biting midges that feed on birds, sensilla coeloconica are present on each flagellomere and in higher numbers than in midges that feed on large mammals (Braverman et al ., ).…”

“…). As previously observed, the number of sensilla is higher in ornithophilic biting midges than in those feeding on large mammals (Braverman et al ., ). It is probable that only a few species of the genus Culicoides (e.g.…”

“…In crepuscular and nocturnal Ceratopogonidae, some sensilla coeloconica can be easily recognized by the presence of microtrichia, which form a ring around the sensory peg (Blackwell et al ., ; Blackwell, ; Glukhova, ). It has been suggested that the number and distribution of these sensilla in females are correlated with host preference (Braverman et al ., ).…”

“…The basic diet of biting midges includes carbohydrates (honeydew, sap or nectar) and obviously water, but as these are usually insufficient for oogenesis, most females require protein-rich meals (blood, haemolymph, dissolved tissues or pollen) to initiate the second and additional ovarian cycles (Szadziewski et al, 1997). Antennal sensory organs are involved in complex host-seeking behaviour, which determines breeding and survival (Braverman et al, 2012). The antennae of biting midges bear five types of sensillum: sensillum chaeticum; sensillum trichoideum; sensillum basiconicum; sensillum coeloconicum, and sensillum ampullaceum (Blackwell et al, 1992;Kline & Axtell, 1999).…”

“…It has been suggested that the number and distribution of these sensilla in females are correlated with host preference (Braverman et al, 2012).…”