| 1. |
- Sigvald, Roland, et al.
(author)
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Molecular identification of bloodmeals and species composition in Culicoides biting midges
- 2013
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In: Medical and Veterinary Entomology. - : Wiley. - 0269-283X .- 1365-2915. ; 27, s. 104-112
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)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 20082010 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.
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| 2. |
- Brännström, Sara
(author)
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Molecular investigations of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) in the poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae, in northern Europe and implications for its transmission between laying poultry farms
- 2011
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In: Medical and Veterinary Entomology. - : Wiley. - 0269-283X .- 1365-2915. ; 25, s. 402-412
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Samples of Dermanyssus gallinae (DeGeer) (Acari: Dermanyssidae) from more than 49 Norwegian and Swedish laying poultry farms, and additional samples collected from Scottish, Finnish, Danish and Dutch layer farms, were compared genetically. Analysis of partial mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences of mites from Norway and Sweden revealed 32 haplotypes. Only single haplotypes were found on most farms, which suggests that infections are recycled within farms and that transmission routes are few. Both Norwegian and Swedish isolates were found in the two major haplogroups, but no haplotypes were shared between Norway and Sweden, indicating little or no recent exchange of mites between these countries. There appears to be no link between haplotypes and geographical location as identical haplotypes were found in both the northern and southern Swedish locations, and haplotypes were scattered in locations between these extremes. The current data suggest that wild birds in Sweden are not a reservoir for D. gallinae infection of layer farms as their mites were genetically distinct from D. gallinae of farm layer birds. Transmission of the poultry red mite in Scandinavia is thus likely to depend on synantropic factors such as the exchange of contaminated material or infested birds between farms or facilities.
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| 3. |
- Hesson, Jenny C., 1980-, et al.
(author)
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A sensitive and reliable restriction enzyme assay to distinguish between the mosquitoes Culex torrentium and Culex pipiens
- 2010
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In: Medical and Veterinary Entomology. - : Wiley. - 0269-283X .- 1365-2915. ; 24:2, s. 142-149
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Culex pipiens pipiens Linnaeus and Culex torrentium Martini (Diptera: Culicidae) are closely related vector species that exist sympatrically in Europe. The two species are morphologically almost identical and can only be distinguished with certainty by characters of the male genitalia. Hence, correct species identification and conclusions on distribution and vector status are very difficult and often neglected. Therefore, we developed a reliable and simple mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene restriction enzyme assay to discriminate between Cx. pipiens and Cx. torrentium, based on the analysis of morphologically identified male specimens. We sequenced approximately 830 bp in the 3′ region of the mitochondrial COI gene of 18 morphologically identified males of Cx. pipiens and Cx. torrentium. Two restriction enzymes (FspBI and SspI) that could distinguish between the two species according to species-specific differences in these sequences were chosen. The restriction enzymes were tested on 227 samples from Sweden and verified by sequencing 44 of them. The enzyme FspBI correctly identified all investigated samples; the enzyme SspI identified all samples except one Cx. torrentium. We hope the method and the findings presented here will help to shed light on the true distribution and relative proportions of the two species in Europe.
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| 4. |
- Jaenson, T. G. T., et al.
(author)
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Evaluation of extracts and oils of tick-repellent plants from Sweden
- 2005
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In: Medical and Veterinary Entomology. - : Wiley. - 0269-283X .- 1365-2915. ; 19:4, s. 345-352
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Leaves of Myrica gale Linnaeus (Myricaceae), Rhododendron tomentosum (Stokes) H. Harmaja (formerly Ledum palustre Linnaeus: Ericaceae) and Artemisia absinthium Linnaeus (Asteraceae) were extracted with organic solvents of different polarities and the essential oils of leaves were obtained by steam distillation. The extracts or oils were tested in the laboratory for repellency against host-seeking nymphs of Ixodes ricinus Linnaeus (Acari: Ixodidae). Rhododendron tomentosum oil, 10%, diluted in acetone, exhibited 95% repellency; R. tomentosum and A. absinthium extracts in ethyl acetate, > 70% repellency; A. absinthium extract in hexane, similar to 62% repellency; and M. gale oil, 10%, similar to 50% repellency on I. ricinus nymphs. Compounds in the leaf extracts or in the oils were collected by solid phase microextraction (SPME) and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and/or MS. Characteristic volatiles detected from oil or extract of M. gale were the monoterpenes 1,8-cineole, alpha-terpineol, 4-terpineol and thujenol; and of R. tomentosum myrcene and palustrol. Characteristic volatiles from leaf extracts of A. absinthium were sabinene, oxygenated monoterpenes, e.g. thujenol and linalool, and geranyl acetate. Each plant species synthesized numerous volatiles known to exhibit acaricidal, insecticidal, 'pesticidal' and/or arthropod repellent properties. These plants may be useful sources of chemicals for the control of arthropods of medical, veterinary or agricultural importance.
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| 5. |
- Jaenson, Thomas G.T. 1948-, et al.
(author)
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Risk indicators for the tick Ixodes ricinus and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Sweden
- 2009
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In: Medical and Veterinary Entomology. - : Blackwell. - 0269-283X .- 1365-2915. ; 23:3, s. 226-237
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The distributional area of the tick Ixodes ricinus (L.), the primary European vector to humans of Lyme borreliosis spirochaetes (Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato) and tick-borne encephalitis virus, appears to be increasing in Sweden. It is therefore important to determine which environmental factors are most useful to assess risk of human exposure to this tick and its associated pathogens. The geographical distribution of I. ricinus in Sweden was analyzed with respect to vegetation zones and climate. The northern limit of I. ricinus and B. burgdorferi s.l. in Sweden corresponds roughly to the northern limit of the southern boreal vegetation zone, and is characterized climatically by a mean duration of 150 days with snow cover and a vegetation period averaging 170 days. The zoogeographical distribution of I. ricinus in Sweden can be classified as southerly-central, with the center of the distribution south Limes Norrlandicus. Ixodes ricinus nymphs from 13 localities in different parts of Sweden were examined for presence of B. burgdorferi s.l. and found to be infected with B. afzelii and B. garinii. Tick sampling localities were characterized on the basis of density of Borrelia-infected I. ricinus nymphs, presence of specific mammals, dominant vegetation and climate. Densities of I. ricinus nymphs and Borrelia-infected nymphs were significantly correlated, and nymphal density can thus serve as a general indicator of risk for exposure to Lyme borreliosis spirochaetes. Analysis of data from this and other studies suggest that high densities of Borrelia-infected nymphs typically occur in coastal, broad-leaf vegetation and in mixed deciduous/spruce vegetation in southern Sweden. Ixodes ricinus populations consistently infected with B. burgdorferi s.l. can occur in biotopes with (i) shrews, rodents, hares and birds, (ii) shrews, rodents, hares, deer and birds, (iii) and on islands where the varying hare (Lepus timidus) is the only mammalian tick host.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Schafer, M.L., et al.
(author)
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Biological diversity versus risk for mosquito nuisance and disease transmission in constructed wetlands in southern Sweden
- 2004
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In: Medical and Veterinary Entomology. - 0269-283X .- 1365-2915. ; 18:3, s. 256-267
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In southern Sweden, many wetlands have been constructed, and maintaining or increasing biological diversity is often included in the aims. Some wetlands are constructed near human settlements, thus raising the problem of wetlands being associated with mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae). Increased biodiversity (including mosquito diversity) is considered desirable, whereas mosquito nuisance from a human point of view is not. Adult mosquito abundance, diversity and species assemblages of constructed wetlands were compared to natural wetlands. The potential of constructed wetlands for mosquito nuisance and transmission of mosquito-borne viruses was evaluated. The study areas included five constructed and four natural wetlands. Mosquito abundance and species richness were higher in the natural than in the constructed wetlands, and showed a positive correlation with wetland size. Mosquito species assemblages formed three clusters, which were not explained by origin, size and water permanence of wetlands. In a redundancy analysis, however, mosquito faunas showed significant relationships with these variables, and size and origin of wetlands were most important. Major nuisance species (multivoltine species feeding on mammals and laying eggs on soil) were found in all wetlands, although in relatively low numbers. Risk assessment for Sindbis virus transmission showed moderate risk for two constructed wetlands near human settlements. It is concluded that small size of constructed wetlands has the advantage of low mosquito numbers from a human point of view. The use of functional groups is recommended as a tool for presenting mosquito data to the public, and for helping communication between scientists and administrative decision makers.
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| 8. |
- Selden, A. I., et al.
(author)
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Chironomid midge sensitization in sewage workers : case study
- 2013
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In: Medical and Veterinary Entomology. - Hoboken, USA : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0269-283X .- 1365-2915. ; 27:3, s. 346-348
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Non-biting chironomid midges (Diptera: Chironomidae) may cause sensitization and allergic reactions in humans and have recently been identified as a potential health problem in Swedish municipal sewage treatment plants. To investigate, on a pilot scale, the allergenic potential of chironomids in sewage workers, all workers (n = 8) at a sewage treatment plant and local controls (n = 16) completed a symptom questionnaire, underwent measurement of the fraction of nitric oxide in exhaled air, spirometry, and provided serum samples for the determination of atopy status and the prevalence of specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies against Chironomus thummi (Chi t) using a commercial fluorescence enzyme immunoassay (FEIA). Three sewage workers (38%) but no controls (0%) were FEIA positive for C. thummi-specific IgE antibodies (P < 0.05). No other health-related findings were significantly different between the groups. The study suggested that occupational exposure to Chironomids may cause sensitization with circulating IgE-antibodies in sewage workers.
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| 9. |
- Swanson, DA, et al.
(author)
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Spatial stratification of host-seeking Diptera in boreal forests of northern Europe
- 2012
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In: Medical and Veterinary Entomology. - Malden, USA : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0269-283X .- 1365-2915. ; 26:1, s. 56-62
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The stratification of haematophagous Diptera was assessed in two boreal forests in northern Sweden by placing traps baited with carbon dioxide at 1.5 m, 5.0 m and 10.0 m above the ground. More than 40 000 specimens were captured, including 617 biting midges (Ceratopogonidae), 4029 mosquitoes (Culicidae) and 36 092 black flies (Simuliidae). Catches at the various trap heights reflected the general vertical distribution of the preferred hosts, with mammalophilic flies predominating (68.6%) in catches at 1.5 m and ornithophilic flies (42.4%) in catches at 10.0 m; however, most flies that use host birds at ground level were caught in the lowest traps (e.g. 85.1% of Simulium annulus were collected at 1.5 m). Within-species variation in vertical patterns between forests suggests plasticity in responses to environmental factors such as vegetative structure.
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| 10. |
- Torr, S. J., et al.
(author)
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Responses of tsetse flies, Glossina morsitans morsitans and Glossina pallidipes, to baits of various size
- 2011
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In: Medical and Veterinary Entomology. - : Wiley. - 0269-283X .- 1365-2915. ; 25:4, s. 365-369
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Recent studies of Palpalis group tsetse [Glossina fuscipes fuscipes (Diptera: Glossinidae) in Kenya] suggest that small (0.25 x 0.25 m) insecticide-treated targets will be more cost-effective than the larger (>= 1.0 x 1.0 m) designs currently used to control tsetse. Studies were undertaken in Zimbabwe to assess whether small targets are also more cost-effective for the Morsitans group tsetse, Glossina morsitans morsitans and Glossina pallidipes. Numbers of tsetse contacting targets of 0.25 x 0.25 m or 1.0 x 1.0 m, respectively, were estimated using arrangements of electrocuting grids which killed or stunned tsetse as they contacted the target. Catches of G. pallidipes and G. m. morsitans at small (0.25 x 0.25 m) targets were, respectively, similar to 1% and similar to 6% of catches at large (1.0 x 1.0 m) targets. Hence, the tsetse killed per unit area of target was greater for the larger than the smaller target, suggesting that small targets are not cost-effective for use against Morsitans group species. The results suggest that there is a fundamental difference in the host-orientated behaviour of Morsitans and Palpalis group tsetse and that the former are more responsive to host odours, whereas the latter seem highly responsive to visual stimuli.
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| 11. |
- Banks, S. D., et al.
(author)
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Insecticide-treated clothes for the control of vector-borne diseases : a review on effectiveness and safety
- 2014
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In: Medical and Veterinary Entomology. - : Wiley. - 0269-283X .- 1365-2915. ; 28:S1, s. 14-25
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Insecticide-treated clothing has been used for many years by the military and in recreational activities as personal protection against bites from a variety of arthropods including ticks, chigger mites, sandflies and mosquitoes. Permethrin is the most commonly used active ingredient, but others, including bifenthrin, deltamethrin, cyfluthrin, DEET (N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenz-amide) and KBR3023, have also been trialled. Treatment is usually carried out by home or factory dipping. However, new microencapsulation technologies which may prolong the activity of insecticides on clothing are now available and may help to overcome the inevitable reduction in efficacy over time that occurs as a result of washing, ultraviolet light exposure, and the normal wear and tear of the fabric. The aim of this article is to review the evidence base for the use of insecticide-treated clothing for protection against bites from arthropods and its effect on arthropod-borne pathogen transmission. Although some studies do demonstrate protection against pathogen transmission, there are surprisingly few, and the level of protection provided varies according to the disease and the type of study conducted. For example, insecticide-treated clothing has been reported to give between 0% and 75% protection against malaria and between 0% and 79% protection against leishmaniasis. Studies vary in the type of treatment used, the age group of participants, the geographical location of the study, and the pathogen transmission potential. This makes it difficult to compare and assess intervention trials. Overall, there is substantial evidence that insecticide-treated clothing can provide protection against arthropod bites. Bite protection evidence suggests that insecticide-treated clothing may be useful in the prevention of pathogen transmission, but further investigations are required to accurately demonstrate transmission reduction.
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| 12. |
- Diaz-Sanchez, A. A., et al.
(author)
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Molecular detection and identification of spotted fever group rickettsiae in ticks collected from horses in Cuba
- 2020
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In: Medical and Veterinary Entomology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0269-283X .- 1365-2915.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae are obligatory intracellular bacteria that cause disease in humans and other animals. Ixodid ticks are the principal vectors of SFG rickettsiae. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence and species identity of SFG rickettsiae in ticks and horses from urban and rural areas of western Cuba using PCR assays. Tick samples, collected from 79 horses, consisted of 14 Amblyomma mixtum adults, 111 Dermacentor nitens adults and 19 pools of D. nitens nymphs (2-5 individuals/pool). The PCR results revealed the presence of Rickettsia spp. in 64% of the A. mixtum adults, 16% of the D. nitens adults, and 11% of the pooled samples of D. nitens nymphs. In contrast, Rickettsia spp. was not detected in any of the 200 horse blood samples included in this study. DNA sequence data of the rickettsial 17 kDa antigen gene showed that Rickettsia amblyommatis was present in A. mixtum; and Rickettsia felis in D. nitens. This is the first report of R. felis in D. nitens in Cuba. The present study extends our knowledge of the potential vector spectrum and distribution of SFG rickettsiae pathogens in western Cuba.
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| 13. |
- Eneh, Lynda, et al.
(author)
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Anopheles arabiensis oviposition site selection in response to habitat persistence and associated physicochemical parameters, bacteria and volatile profiles
- 2019
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In: Medical and Veterinary Entomology. - : WILEY. - 0269-283X .- 1365-2915. ; 33:1, s. 56-67
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A better understanding of the oviposition behaviour of malaria vectors might facilitate the development of new vector control tools. However, the factors that guide the aquatic habitat selection of gravid females are poorly understood. The present study explored the relative attractiveness of similar artificial ponds (0.8 m(2)) aged at varying lengths prior to opening in such a way that wild Anopheles arabiensis could choose between ponds that were freshly set up, or were aged 4 or 17 days old, to lay eggs. Physicochemical parameters, bacterial profile and volatile organic compounds emitted from ponds were investigated over three experimental rounds. Fresh ponds contained on average twice as many An. arabiensis instar larvae (mean 50, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 29-85) as the ponds that had aged 4 days (mean = 24, 95% CI = 14-42) and 17 days (mean = 20, 95% CI: 12-34). Fresh ponds were associated with a significantly higher turbidity combined with higher water temperature, higher nitrite levels and a lower pH and chlorophyll level than the older ponds. Round by round analyses suggested that bacteria communities differed between age groups and also that 4-heptanone, 2-ethylhexanal and an isomer of octenal were exclusively detected from the fresh ponds. These characteristics may be useful with respect to developing attract and kill strategies for malaria vector control.
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| 14. |
- Hesson, Jenny C., 1980-, et al.
(author)
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The arbovirus vector Culex torrentium is more prevalent than Culex pipiens in northern and central Europe
- 2014
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In: Medical and Veterinary Entomology. - : Wiley. - 0269-283X .- 1365-2915. ; 28:2, s. 179-186
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Two species of arbovirus vector, Culex torrentium and Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae), occur in several European countries, but difficulties in their accurate identification and discrimination have hampered both detailed and large-scale distribution and abundance studies. Using a molecular identification method, we identified to species 2559 larvae of Cx. pipiens/torrentium collected from 138 sites in 13 European countries ranging from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean coast. In addition, samples of 1712 males of Cx. pipiens/torrentium collected at several sites in the Czech Republic were identified to species based on the morphology of their hypopygia. We found that the two species occur together in large areas of Europe, and that Cx. torrentium dominates in northern Europe and Cx. pipiens dominates south of the Alps. The transition in dominance occurs in central Europe, where both species are roughly equally common. There was a strong correlation between the length of the growing season at different sites and occurrences of the two species. As the growing season increases, the proportion and detection of Cx. torrentium decrease, whereas those of Cx. pipiens increase. The present findings have important consequences for the interpretation of the results of studies on major enzootic and link-vectors of mosquito-borne bird-associated viruses (i.e. Sindbis, West Nile and Usutu viruses), especially in central Europe and Scandinavia.
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| 15. |
- Jansson, Desirée, et al.
(author)
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Northern fowl mite (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) in Sweden
- 2014
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In: Medical and Veterinary Entomology. - : Wiley. - 0269-283X .- 1365-2915. ; 28:4, s. 443-446
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Haematophagous mites were collected from the vent region and plumage of chickens in six hobby flocks of ornamental breeds in Sweden, one of which included turkeys. Soiled vent skin and feathers, dermatitis, hyperkeratosis, skin necroses and ulcers were observed in 12 necropsied birds from two of the flocks. The mites were identified as the northern fowl mite Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Mesostigmata: Macronyssidae). This was supported by sequence analysis of a 642-bp region in the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene (COI) in mites collected from five flocks, which showed 97–99% sequence similarity to O. sylviarum by blast analysis. Pairwise sequence comparisons revealed nucleotide variations in the range of 0–2.8%, whereas amino acid sequences were highly conserved. This paper represents one of very few records of O. sylviarum in European poultry, and is the first to report COI sequence data for O. sylviarum from poultry in Europe.
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| 16. |
- Lilja, T., et al.
(author)
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Single nucleotide polymorphism analysis of the ITS2 region of two sympatric malaria mosquito species in Sweden : Anopheles daciaeandAnopheles messeae
- 2020
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In: Medical and Veterinary Entomology. - : WILEY. - 0269-283X .- 1365-2915. ; 34:3, s. 364-368
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Four species of theAnopheles maculipenniscomplex have previously been recorded in Sweden. A recent addition to the complex isAnopheles daciae, which is considered to be closely related to, but distinct fromAnopheles messeae. The original designation ofAn. daciaewas based on five genetic differences (161, 165, 167, 362 and 382) in the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 2 of the ribosomal RNA. Further studies have shown that only two nucleotide differences (362 and 382) robustly separate the species. Thirty-threeAn. maculipenniscomplex mosquitoes were collected in the province of Uppland, Sweden. All wereAn. daciaebut showed double peaks for three variable positions (161, 165 and 167). When cloned, the intra-individual nucleotide variation was almost exclusively fixed with either TTC or AAT, originally diagnostic forAn. messaeandAn. daciae, respectively. To further investigate the intra-individual variation, nineAn. daciaeand 11An. messeaewere collected in southern Sweden and their ITS2 fragments were amplified and sequenced using Illumina MiSeq sequencing (Illumina, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA). For the diagnostic nucleotide 382 no intra-individual variation could be detected. However, although eachAn. daciaespecimen carried several ITS2 sequence variants for the four other nucleotides, there was no intra-individual variation in theAn. messeaespecimens.
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| 17. |
- Möhlmann, Tim, et al.
(author)
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Latitudinal diversity of biting midge species within the Obsoletus group across three habitats in Europe
- 2019
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In: Medical and Veterinary Entomology. - : WILEY. - 0269-283X .- 1365-2915. ; 33:3, s. 420-426
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Culicoides species from the Obsoletus group are important vectors of bluetongue and Schmallenberg virus. This group consists of several species that cannot easily be identified using morphological characteristics. Therefore, limited information is available about their distribution and habitat preferences. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the species composition of the Obsoletus group in three habitat types at climatically different latitudes across Europe. Traps were placed in three habitat types in three countries at different latitudes. After DNA extraction, biting midges were identified using PCR and gel electrophoresis. Extraction of DNA using Chelex proved to be a cost and time efficient method for species identification. A latitudinal effect on the relative abundance of species from the Obsoletus group was found. Species composition was unique for most country-habitat combinations. The majority of biting midges were either C. obsoletus s.s. or C. scoticus, and both species were found at all latitudes and habitats. Their wide distribution and their high abundance at livestock farms make these species likely candidates for rapid farm-to-farm transmission of pathogens throughout Europe. Our results emphasize the need to differentiate Obsoletus group species to better understand their ecology and contribution to pathogen transmission.
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| 18. |
- Seyyed-Zadeh, S. J., et al.
(author)
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Evidence for the presence of Ctenocephalides orientis in livestock dwellings in northwest Iran
- 2018
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In: Medical and Veterinary Entomology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0269-283X .- 1365-2915. ; 32:3, s. 383-387
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Fleas are important vectors of diseases such as murine typhus, tularaemia, hymenolepiasis and plague. The presence of active foci and history of human- and flea-transmitted plague in northwest Iran prompted the present group to collect and identify fleas from human and livestock dwellings across West Azerbaijan Province. Adult fleas were collected and identified using routine taxonomic keys. Species designation was confirmed by sequencing the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI). Of the collected specimens (n = 989), 104 were collected off-host (30 from human dwellings and 74 in light traps) and the rest were found on hosts (107 on animals and 778 by human bait). Of these fleas, 394 (40%) were male and 595 (60%) were female. The collected specimens belonged to the species Ctenocephalides canis, Ctenocephalides fells, Ctenocephalides orientis and Pulex irritans (all: Siphonaptera: Pulicidae). The amplified COI fragment, in addition to confirming the morphological identification of species, showed good efficacy in separating the different species in the phylogenetic analysis. In addition to the identification of fleas from human and livestock dwellings using morphological and molecular characteristics, the current paper represents the first report of the presence of C. orientis in northwest Iran. This finding suggests that changing climate conditions may have expanded the distribution of this species.
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| 19. |
- Bobeva, A., et al.
(author)
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Host preferences of ornithophilic biting midges of the genus Culicoides in the Eastern Balkans
- 2015
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In: Medical and Veterinary Entomology. - : Wiley. - 0269-283X. ; 29:3, s. 290-296
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Many biting midges of the genus CulicoidesLatreille, 1809 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are competent vectors of a diverse number of pathogens. The identification of their feeding behaviour and of vector-host associations is essential for understanding their transmission capacity. By applying two different nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, of which one targeted the avian cyt b gene and the other targeted the COI gene of a wide range of vertebrates, we identified the blood hosts of six biting midge species including Culicoides circumscriptus, Culicoides festivipennis, Culicoides punctatus, Culicoides pictipennis, Culicoides alazanicus and Culicoides cf. griseidorsum, the latter two of which are reported in Bulgaria for the first time. Bird DNA was found in 50.6% of 95 investigated bloodmeals, whereas mammalian DNA was identified in 13.7%. Two Culicoides species were found to feed on both birds and mammals. There was remarkable diversity in the range of avian hosts: 23 species from four orders were identified in the abdomens of four Culicoides species. The most common bird species identified was the magpie, Pica pica (n=7), which was registered in all four ornithophilic biting midge species. Six bloodmeals from the great tit, Parus major, were recorded only in C.alazanicus. None of the studied species of Culicoides appeared to be restricted to a single avian host.
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| 20. |
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| 21. |
- Jelvez Serra, N. S., et al.
(author)
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Identification of stable fly attractant compounds in vinasse, a byproduct of sugarcane–ethanol distillation
- 2017
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In: Medical and Veterinary Entomology. - : Wiley. - 0269-283X. ; 31:4, s. 381-391
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera: Muscidae), is a worldwide pest of livestock. Recent outbreaks of stable flies in sugarcane fields in Brazil have become a serious problem for livestock producers. Larvae and pupae found inside sugarcane stems after harvesting may indicate that stable flies use these stems as potential oviposition or larval development sites. Field observations suggest that outbreaks of stable flies are associated with the vinasse and filter cake derived from biomass distillation in sugarcane ethanol production that are used as fertilizers in sugarcane fields. Adult stable flies are attracted to vinasse, which appears to present an ideal larval development site. The primary goal of the present study is to demonstrate the role of vinasse in influencing the sensory physiological and behavioural responses of stable flies, and to identify its associated volatile attractant compounds. Both laboratory and field studies showed that vinasse is extremely attractive to adult stable flies. Chemical analyses of volatiles collected revealed a wide range of carboxylic acids, alcohols, phenols and aldehydes as potential attractant compounds. These newly identified attractants could be used to develop a tool for the attractant-baited mass trapping of stable flies in order to reduce infestations.
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