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CULICOIDES (DIPTERA: CERATOPOGONIDAE) OF THE SOUTH OKANAGAN AREA OF BRITISH COLUMBIA1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

R. D. McMullen
Affiliation:
Research Station, Agriculture Canada, Summerland, British Columbia V0H 1Z0

Abstract

Due to concern over an outbreak of bluetongue disease in cattle near Osoyoos, B.C., a survey of Culicoides spp. was made and the seasonal and immediate geographical distribution of the known large-mammal biting species studied. Species found included C. cockerelli (Coquillett),C. crepuscularis Malloch, C. near haematopotus, C. jamesi Fox, C. montanus Wirth and Blanton, C. obsoletus (Meigen), C. occidentalis Wirth and Jones, C. palmerae James, C. piliferus group, C. travisi group, C. variipennis (Coquillett), C. yukonensis Hoffman, and Leptoconops kerteszi Keiffer. The active period for adults of C. occidentalis, a proved vector of bluetongue disease, is from mid-April through early October. Breeding sites of this species were common from 275 to 600 m above sea level throughout the area of bluetongue disease incidence. Breeding sites extended up to 1350 m and adults were trapped at 1820 m. A large number of adult C. occidentalis and other Culicoides spp. were collected for isolation of bluetongue virus. No virus was recovered. This was possibly due to large-scale testing of susceptible domestic animals for bluetongue virus antigens and removal of those giving positive reactions prior to collection of the insects tested.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1978

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References

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