Oral susceptibility of South African Culicoides species to live-attenuated serotype-specific vaccine strains of African horse sickness virus (AHSV)

Abstract. The oral susceptibility of livestock‐associated South African Culicoides midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) to infection with the tissue culture‐attenuated vaccine strains of African horse sickness virus (AHSV) currently in use is reported. Field‐collected Culicoides were fed on horse blood‐virus mixtures each containing one of the seven serotype‐specific vaccine strains of AHSV, namely serotypes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8. The mean titres of virus in the bloodmeals for the seven vaccine strains were between 6.8 and 7.6 log₁₀TCID50/mL. All females (n = 3262) that survived 10 days extrinsic incubation (10 dEI) at 23.5°C were individually assayed in microplate BHK‐21 cell cultures. In midges tested immediately after feeding, AHSV was detected in 96.1% individuals; mean virus titre was 2.0 log₁₀TCID50/midge. After 10 dEI virus recovery rates varied in Culicoides (Avaritia) imicola Kieffer from 1% (AHSV‐2) to 11% (AHSV‐7) and in Culicoides (A.) bolitinos Meiswinkel from 0% (AHSV‐3) to 14.6% (AHSV‐2). Although our results indicate that two major field vectors C. imicola and C. bolitinos are susceptible to oral infection with vaccine strains of AHSV, the level of viral replication for most of the vaccine strains tested was below the postulated threshold (=2.5 log₁₀TCID50/midge) for fully disseminated orbivirus infection. In this study, for the first time AHSV has been recovered after 10 dEI from six non‐Avaritia livestock‐associated Old World species: C. engubandei de Meillon (AHSV‐4), C. magnus Colaço (AHSV‐3, ‐4), C. zuluensis de Meillon (AHSV‐2, ‐4), C. pycnostictus Ingram & Macfie (AHSV‐2), C. bedfordi Ingram & Macfie (AHSV‐7), and C. dutoiti de Meillon (AHSV‐7). As little is known about the virogenesis of AHSV in the southern African species of Culicoides, the epidemiological significance of our findings in relation to the potential for transmission of current AHSV vaccine strains by Culicoides requires further assessment.     

Effect of temperature on the transmission of orbiviruses by the biting midge,Culicoides sonorensis

The influence of temperature on the likelihood of Culicoides sonorensis Wirth & Jones (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) transmitting African horse sickness virus (AHSV) serotypes 4 and 6, bluetongue virus (BTV) serotypes 10 and 16 and epizootic haemorrhagic disease of deer virus (EHDV) serotype 1 was investigated. Extrinsic incubation periods (EIP), vector competence and vector survival were determined at 15, 20, 25 and 30 degrees C. The effect of humidity on vector survival was also investigated by maintaining adult C. sonorensis at 40, 75 and 85% r.h. at each temperature. Higher temperatures were associated with a shorter EIP for all virus serotypes except AHSV6, to which C. sonorensis was orally refractory, increased vector competence for AHSV4 and EHDV1, but not for BTV10 or BTV16, and a reduction in vector survival. Humidity interacted with temperature in influencing vector survival, such that at low temperatures, lower humidity (40 and 75% r.h.) was detrimental for survival (up to 18% reduction in longevity), whereas at high temperatures, high humidity (85% r.h.) was detrimental (up to 36% reduction in longevity). In general, the transmission potential of C. sonorensis for AHSV4, EHDV1, BTV10 and BTV16 was greater at higher temperatures, because although vector survival was reduced, this was more than compensated for by the accompanying decrease in duration of the EIP.     

Culicoides midge trap enhancement with animal odour baits in Scotland

Examples of the commercial trap Mosquito Magnet Pro (MMP emitting attractant 1-octen-3-ol in carbon dioxide 500 mL/min generated from propane fuel), were run 24 h/day on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, during June-August 2001 and evaluated for catching Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). From 30 days trapping, the catch averaged 2626 +/- 1358 Culicoides females/trap/day (mean +/- SE, range 558 +/- 139 to 6088 +/- 3597, for five sets of six consecutive nights), predominantly the pest Culicoides impunctatus Goetghebuer (68% overall), plus C. vexans (Staeger) > C. delta Edwards > C. pulicaris (L.) > C. lupicaris Downs & Kettle > C. albicans (Winnertz) > other Culicoides spp. Attempts were made to enhance the odour baiting system by adding hexane-extracts (2.1 mg/day) of hair samples from large host animals, resulting in the following effects on Culicoides collections: sheep - 53 %, red deer - 26 %, calf + 20%, pony + 40%, water buffalo + 262%, with greatest increases for C. impunctatus and C. pulicaris. Serial concentrations of these animal extracts (10(-1) - 10(-3) x 2.2 g/mL) were assayed on parous female C. impunctatus response in a Y-tube olfactometer (air-flow 150 mL/min), and by electroantennogram (EAG) on Culicoides nubeculosus Meigen laboratory-reared parous females. Positive behavioural responses to host odours were dose-dependent: the water buffalo extract being most active (threshold 0.22 g/mL), similar to deer, whereas other host extracts were > or = 10-fold less active. Correspondingly, the EAG threshold was lowest for water buffalo, 10-fold greater for deer, calf and pony, but not detected for sheep. If the active component(s) of these host extracts can be identified and synthesized, they might be employed to improve the capture of Culicoides midges for local control by removal trapping.     

中国库蠓属二新种和三新记录(双翅目:蠓科)(英文)

本文描述了在中国发现的库蠓属2新种：茸毛库蠓（Culicoiddesytoculussp．nov．）,正模♀,副模1♀,1979－06－30,四川达县;美美库蠓（C．pulchellussp．nov）2♀♀,1989年6月,云南麻栗坡县。记述了中国库蠓属的3新记录：吉姆库蠓（C．gymnopterusEdwards）1♀,1981年8月,云南勐腊县;帕巴库模（C．parabarnettiWirthandHubert）1♀,1981年8月,云南勐腊县;皮孔库蠓（C．pikongkoiHowarth）2♀♀,1989年6月,云南麻粟坡县。     

A NEW SPECIES OF THE GENUS CULICOIDES (JILINOCOIDES) (DIPTERA: CERATOPOGONIDAE) FROM THE GUANGXI ZHUANG AUTON. REG., CHINA

Abstract A new species of Cidicoides (Jilinocoides ), C.(J.) guangxiensis sp. nov. from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China is described. The new species is closely allied to Culicoides qianweiensis Yu 1982, but is distinctly different in the presentation of the sensilla coeloconica, sensory pit of the palpus third segment, number of mandible teeth, pale spot on basal portion of wing and r-m pale spot on wing of female. The type specimen is deposited in the Institute of Military Medical Sciences, Shenyang Military District, Shenyang 110034, China.     

Attraction and Repellent Behaviors of Culicoides Biting Midges toward Cow Dung,Carbon Dioxide,and Essential Oils

Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are hematophagous arthropod vectors that transmit epizootic arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses). Arboviruses are recognized as causes of pregnancy loss, encephalomyelitis, and congenital malformations in ruminants. Therefore, continuous monitoring and control of Culicoides, which causes significant damage to industrial animals are necessary. We performed attraction and repellent tests in Culicoides using various essential oils, cow dung, and carbon dioxide (CO₂). Culicoides tended to move more to cow dung (60.8%, P<0.0001) and CO₂ (63.8%, P<0.01). To the essential oils as repellents, 26.1% (P<0.0001), 18.7% (P<0.001), and 25.5% (P<0.01) of the Culicoides moved to the lavender, lemongrass, and eucalyptus chamber, respectively. The Culicoides that moved to the 3 essential oils chambers showed markedly low activity. Collectively, it was showed that Culicoides tended to be attractive to cow dung and CO₂, and repellent from the 3 essential oils.     

不同补水方式对白星花金龟水分平衡的影响

为研究水分散失和水分补充对新疆新害虫白星花金龟Potosia brevitarsis Lewis的影响,在30℃恒温条件下,采用重量法测定白星花金龟脱水过程以及不同补水方式下(补蒸馏水;补盐水;补糖水)体内水分含量的变化,并与步甲、拟步甲的水分代谢进行比较。结果表明,白星花金龟的脱水与拟步甲科的网目拟地甲Opatrum subaratum Fald相似,在10h内脱水率均约为5%,而斑步甲Anisodactylus signatus 10h内脱水率约为20%。不同补水处理后,白星花金龟体内含水量迅速增加,随后继续脱水;脱水10d后,补蒸馏水、补盐水和补糖水处理的白星花金龟脱水率分别为28%,27%和21%,而未补水白星花金龟的脱水率为34%;未补水处理的甲虫脱水率和补蒸馏水和补盐水处理之间无显著性差异,而和补糖水处理之间存在显著性差异。未补水、补蒸馏水、补盐水和补糖水处理的LT50分别约为9,12,13和17d,补糖水能有效延长甲虫的存活时间。糖能有效地增加白星花金龟体内含水量,对维持其体内水分平衡起重要作用。     

Development and evaluation of real‐time PCR assays for bloodmeal identification in Culicoides midges

Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) midges are the biological vectors of a number of arboviruses of veterinary importance. However, knowledge relating to the basic biology of some species, including their host‐feeding preferences, is limited. Identification of host‐feeding preferences in haematophagous insects can help to elucidate the transmission dynamics of the arboviruses they may transmit. In this study, a series of semi‐quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays to identify the vertebrate host sources of bloodmeals of Culicoides midges was developed. Two pan‐reactive species group and seven species‐specific qPCR assays were developed and evaluated. The assays are quick to perform and less expensive than nucleic acid sequencing of bloodmeals. Using these assays, it was possible to rapidly test nearly 700 blood‐fed midges of various species from several geographic locations in Australia.