Molecular identification of bloodmeals and species composition in Culicoides biting midges

Med Vet Entomol. 2013 Mar;27(1):104-12. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2915.2012.01038.x. Epub 2012 Aug 9.

Abstract

Investigations of host preferences in haematophagous insects, including Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), are critical in order to assess transmission routes of vector-borne diseases. In this study, we collected and morphologically identified 164 blood-engorged Culicoides females caught in both light traps and permanent 12-m high suction traps during 2008-2010 in Sweden. Molecular analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene in the biting midges was performed to verify species classification, discern phylogenetic relationships and uncover possible cryptic species. Bloodmeal analysis using universal vertebrate cytochrome b primers revealed a clear distinction in host selection between mammalophilic and ornithophilic Culicoides species. Host sequences found matches in horse (n = 59), sheep (n = 39), cattle (n = 26), Eurasian elk (n = 1) and 10 different bird species (n = 18). We identified 15 Culicoides species previously recorded in Scandinavia and four additional species haplotypes that were distinctly different from the described species. All ornithophilic individuals (n = 23) were caught exclusively in the suction traps, as were, interestingly, almost all mammalophilic species (n = 41), indicating that many biting midge species may be able to cover long distances after completing a bloodmeal. These results add new information on the composition of Culicoides species and their host preferences and their potential long-distance dispersal while blood-engorged.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ceratopogonidae / anatomy & histology*
  • Ceratopogonidae / classification
  • Ceratopogonidae / genetics*
  • Ceratopogonidae / metabolism
  • Cytochromes b / genetics
  • Cytochromes b / metabolism
  • DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic
  • Electron Transport Complex IV / genetics
  • Electron Transport Complex IV / metabolism
  • Female
  • Food Chain
  • Insect Control
  • Insect Vectors / anatomy & histology*
  • Insect Vectors / classification
  • Insect Vectors / genetics*
  • Insect Vectors / metabolism
  • Male
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phylogeny
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Sequence Homology
  • Sweden
  • Vertebrates / genetics
  • Vertebrates / metabolism

Substances

  • Cytochromes b
  • Electron Transport Complex IV

Associated data

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