Environmental Entomology (1983) 12, 768-773

E.T. Schmidtmann, B.A. Mullens, S.J. Schwager and S. Spear (1983)
Distribution, abundance, and a probability model for larval Culicoides variipennis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) on dairy farms in New York State
Environmental Entomology 12 (3), 768-773
Abstract: Aquatic habitats on New York State dairy farms were sampled to determine the distribution and abundance of larval Culicoides variipennis (Coquillett), and to develop a probability model for the presence of the species. Late-instar larvae were found on five to seven of eight dairies selected randomly in each of seven geographically widespread counties; overall, larvae were present on 46 of 56 (82%) farms. Of 626 substrate samples examined, 294 (47%) contained C. variipennis larvae. Larval density was 1 to 10, 11 to 49, and >49 larvae per 150-cm³ sample in 72, 14, and 14% of positive samples, respectively. Larvae occurred in a wide variety of farm habitat 'types' and 'locations' but were particularly abundant in cattle-modified substrates in pastures and cow yards where the source of water was 'spring fed' or "milkhouse effluent.' Only 1 of 108 samples from 20 dairy manure storage systems contained C. variipennis larvae. Nine variables associated with larval habitats contributed significantly to a stepwise logistic regression equation that predicted the presence or absence of C. vardpennis with an accuracy of 80.07%. The 'degree of animal access,' 'pH,' 'nitrate concentration,' 'water source = milkhouse effluent,' 'phosphorous concentration,' 'habitat type = stream,' 'Water source = spring fed,' and 'sample period' were positively associated with the presence of larvae; 'percent organic matter' was negatively associated. These findings are discussed in terms of their relevance to Northeast dairy operations.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Bradley A. Mullens

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
population dynamics/ epidemiology
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Culicoides variipennis		U.S.A. (NE)