Introduction to the Taxonomy and General Biology of Diptera (Insecta) Involved in the Transmission of Avian Haemosporida

Avian Haemosporidian Infection in Wildlife Rehabilitation Centres of Portugal: Causes, Consequences, and Genetic Diversity

“…These parasites are transmitted exclusively by blood-sucking dipteran insects [16]. Culicidae mosquitoes are responsible for the transmission of avian Plasmodium parasites, whereas Haemoproteus parasites are transmitted by biting midges (Ceratopogonidae) and louse flies (Hippoboscidae), and Leucocytozoon are vectored by black flies (Simuliidae) [17]. Although avian haemosporidian parasites were considered as relatively benign for a long time (see review in [18]), they have been reported to negatively affect the host condition [19,20], clutch size [21], reproductive success [19,[21][22][23], and lifespan [24], subsequently diminishing host fitness [25][26][27].…”

Estado actual del conocimiento de los hábitos hematófagos de los Phlebotominae (Diptera: Psychodidae) de México y sus implicaciones zoonóticas

“…En dípteros primitivos (nematoceroideos y Brachycera inferiores) la hematofagia se presenta exclusivamente en las hembras con el fin de obtener un suplemento de proteínas para favorecer la ovogénesis y el desarrollo óptimo de los embriones. Las familias de dípteros nematoceroideos hematófagas son Psychodidae, Corethrellidae, Culicidae, Simuliidae y Ceratopogonidae (8).…”

An updated catalogue of biting midges of the genus Culicoides Latreille, 1809 (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) of Mexico and their known distribution by state

“…Some species are vectors of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and filariae ( Vargas 1969 ; Borkent 2004 ) that infect different vertebrates, mainly birds and ruminant mammals, and produce important diseases such as Oropouche fever, Bluetongue disease, African horse sickness, Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, Schmallenberg disease ( Mellor et al 2000 ; Sick et al 2019 ), as well as avian malaria by different species of Haemoproteus Kruse, 1890, Leucocytozoon Berestneff, 1904, Hepatocystis Levaditi & Schoen, 1932, and Trypanosoma Gruby, 1843 ( Valkiunas 2005 ). In addition, their high densities and often-irritating bites cause skin lesions, secondary infections, and allergies ( Blanton and Wirth 1979 ; Ibáñez-Bernal et al 2020 ) and can generate important economic losses in sectors related to recreation and tourism, forestry, and agriculture ( Wirth and Blanton 1974 ; Borkent and Spinelli 2007 ).…”