Stand structure of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in farms and establishment of a new potential vector of West Nile Virus for Belgium

Poster (2011, May 24)

Many Diptera, spread across the globe are likely to play a role in the transmission of various human and animal diseases. Mosquitoes in particular, give rise to various countries on research increasingly ... [more ▼]

Many Diptera, spread across the globe are likely to play a role in the transmission of various human and animal diseases. Mosquitoes in particular, give rise to various countries on research increasingly expanded and deepened. To better understand the structure of the Culicidae at cattle farms in Belgium and identify habitats favorable to the development of each species, a taxonomic inventory was conducted in 2008 and 2009 in ten different sites. They fall into five natural regions: Condroz, Ardenne, Fagne-Famenne, Lorraine and Compine. The collection of mosquitoes is based on sampling of larvae in 13 biotopes such as water troughs, tires, abandoned utensils and temporary puddles or not. The results of the morphotaxonomic study of the mosquitoes collected in the different study sites show the presence of five species of Culicidae divided into three genera, Anopheles, Culex and Culiseta. Of the 1843 individuals examined in 2009, Culex pipiens represents 79.98% of the total harvest. A new species is reported for Belgium, Culex modestus Ficalbi, 1890. This species is one of the most important from an epidemiological and medical-veterinary entomology, given its role in the transmission of West Nile and myxomatosis viruses. [less ▲]

Biting midges (Ceratopogonidae: Culicoïdes) in Belgium: a comparison between indoor and outdoor trapping in cattle and sheep farms.

Conference (2009, August)

Bluetongue, a vector born disease of ruminants, was identified for the first time in Northern Europe in 2006. The vectors are insects of the family Ceratopogonidae, genus Culicoides. In Belgium, no recent ... [more ▼]

Bluetongue, a vector born disease of ruminants, was identified for the first time in Northern Europe in 2006. The vectors are insects of the family Ceratopogonidae, genus Culicoides. In Belgium, no recent data were available about the biology of these insects including their feeding habits and behaviour. The present study was carried out in order to evaluate the indoor and outdoor activity of these Diptera in 5 different cattle or sheep farms in 2008. Two sheep and 3 cattle farms were selected in the Province of Luxembourg, Belgium. In each farm 2 Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute (OVI) traps were installed respectively inside and outside the animal accommodation. Trapping was carried out twice a week from 17:00 until 24:00.The collecting vials were replaced every hour. A portable suction trap (BackTrap® U.S.A) was used twice on each visit to collect midges on the animals. In each farm the study was carried out for 6 successive weeks, 2 farms being monitored together. The study began on July 28th and ended on November 30th 2008. A total of 2591 culicoides were trapped. A majority of those (88.76%) were trapped indoors whereas 10.03% were trapped outdoors and 1.21% directly on the animals. The ambient temperature had a marked effect very few culicoides being trapped below 13°C. Three main species or species complex were identified both indoors and outdoors: C. obsoletus/scoticus, C. dewulfi, C. chiopterus. They represented 98.93% and 85.03% indoors and outdoors respectively. On the animals only C. obsoletus/scoticus and C. dewulfi were found. [less ▲]

Distribution Of Potential Bluetongue Vectors On Belgium Farms

in Veterinary Record : Journal of the British Veterinary Association (2008), 162(21), 700