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Culicoides Spp. (Culicoide + spp)
Selected AbstractsIdentification and isolation of cDNA clones encoding the abundant secreted proteins in the saliva proteome of Culicoides nubeculosusINSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2009C. L. Russell Abstract Culicoides spp. are vectors of several infectious diseases of veterinary importance and a major cause of allergy in horses and other livestock. Their saliva contains a number of proteins which enable blood feeding, enhance disease transmission and act as allergens. We report the construction of a novel cDNA library from Culicoides nubeculosus linked to the analysis of abundant salivary gland proteins by mass spectrometry. Fifty-four novel proteins sequences are described including those of the enzymes maltase, hyaluronidase and two serine proteases demonstrated to be present in Culicoides salivary glands, as well as several members of the D7 family and protease inhibitors with putative anticoagulant activity. In addition, several families of abundant proteins with unknown function were identified including some of the major candidate allergens that cause insect bite hypersensitivity in horses. [source] Control techniques for Culicoides biting midges and their application in the U.K. and northwestern PalaearcticMEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 3 2008S. CARPENTER Abstract The recent emergence of bluetongue virus (Reoviridae: Orbivirus) (BTV) in northern Europe, for the first time in recorded history, has led to an urgent need for methods to control the disease caused by this virus and the midges that spread it. This paper reviews various methods of vector control that have been employed elsewhere and assesses their likely efficacy for controlling vectors of BTV in northern Europe. Methods of controlling Culicoides spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) have included: (a) application of insecticides and pathogens to habitats where larvae develop; (b) environmental interventions to remove larval breeding sites; (c) controlling adult midges by treating either resting sites, such as animal housing, or host animals with insecticides; (d) housing livestock in screened buildings, and (e) using repellents or host kairomones to lure and kill adult midges. The major vectors of BTV in northern Europe are species from the Culicoides obsoletus (Meigen) and Culicoides pulicaris (L.) groups, for which there are scant data on breeding habits, resting behaviour and host-oriented responses. Consequently, there is little information on which to base a rational strategy for controlling midges or for predicting the likely impact of interventions. However, data extrapolated from the results of vector control operations conducted elsewhere, combined with some assessment of how acceptable or not different methods may be within northern Europe, indicate that the treatment of livestock and animal housing with pyrethroids, the use of midge-proofed stabling for viraemic or high-value animals and the promotion of good farm practice to at least partially eliminate local breeding sites are the best options currently available. Research to assess and improve the efficacy of these methods is required and, in the longer term, efforts should be made to develop better bait systems for monitoring and, possibly, controlling midges. All these studies will need better methods of analysing the ecology and behaviour of midges in the field than are currently in use. The paucity of control options and basic knowledge serve to warn us that we must be better prepared for the possible emergence of other midge-borne diseases, particularly African horse sickness. [source] Response of Culicoides spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) to light-emitting diodesAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 2 2004Alan L Bishop Abstract Light traps with incandescent globes are used in a national monitoring program to detect the presence of Culicoides spp. responsible for the transmission of viruses to livestock and native animals. Recent events have suggested that the efficiency of these traps should be reconsidered and possibly improved. Subsequently, the response of eight species of Culicoides to light-emitting diodes (LEDs) was determined at two locations in New South Wales. Culicoides austropalpalis Lee & Reye, C. bunrooiensis Lee & Reye and C. marksi Lee & Reye were attracted to blue light. Responses to blue and green light could not be separated for C. bundyensis Lee & Reye, C. dycei Lee & Reye, C. nattiensis Lee & Reye and C. victoriae Macfie. Culicoides brevitarsis Kieffer was significantly attracted to green light. This species is the major vector of Akabane and bluetongue viruses in Australia. These responses were all significantly greater than the responses to the incandescent lights currently used in the light traps. The response to red light was less than the response to incandescent light for all species. Catches of C. brevitarsis were also related to the intensity of the green LEDs. These were more effective than the currently used incandescent globes at intensities between 46% and 142% of the incandescent intensity. [source] | ||||||||||