[en] Some Culicoides biting midge species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are biological virus vectors worldwide
and have recently been associated with outbreaks of important epizootic diseases such as bluetongue
and Schmallenberg in northern Europe. These diseases, which affect domestic and wild ruminants, have
caused considerable economic losses. Knowledge of host preferences of these biting midges – especially
of the relevant vectors of arboviruses near farms, such as Culicoides obsoletus in northern Europe – is
essential to understand pathogen transmission cycles and the epidemiology of associated diseases. This
study aimed to determine host preferences of C. obsoletus using an in-field flight tunnel containing pairs
of calf, sheep, chicken, and human hosts (and controls) and a laboratory two-choice bioassay containing
volatile extracts of host skin (and controls). Behavioural responses of nulliparous C. obsoletus females in
the in-field flight tunnel showed a preference for human (but also calf and sheep) hosts, probably due to
their exhalation of greater quantities of carbon dioxide. The laboratory experiment revealed that volatile
organic compounds released from the skin of chicken and sheep seemed to attract this species. Culicoides
obsoletus, thus, seems to have a wide host range and to be particularly attracted by humans under
field conditions. A better understanding of vector–host interaction could enable the development of control
strategies against adult biting midges, by exploiting insect-repelling or -attractive semiochemicals.
Volatile extracts of chicken and/or sheep skin could be used to identify volatile compounds attractive to
C. obsoletus, which in turn could be used in baited traps.
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