Medical and Veterinary Entomology (2019) 33, 420-426

T.W.R. Möhlmann, A.M. Bekendam, I. van Kemenade, U. Wennergren, G. Favia, W. Takken and C.J.M. Koenraadt (2019)
Latitudinal diversity of biting midge species within the Obsoletus group across three habitats in Europe
Medical and Veterinary Entomology 33 (3), 420-426
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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Database assignments for author(s): Guido Favia, Willem Takken, Constantianus J.M. Koenraadt

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
surveys/sampling/distribution
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Culicoides obsoletus		Italy
	Culicoides obsoletus		Netherlands
	Culicoides obsoletus		Sweden
	Culicoides scoticus		Italy
	Culicoides scoticus		Netherlands
	Culicoides scoticus		Sweden
	Culicoides dewulfi		Netherlands
	Culicoides chiopterus		Netherlands
	Culicoides chiopterus		Sweden