Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-2022
Keywords
Biting midges; Vector competence; Vectorial capacity; Arboviruses
Abstract
Purpose of Review
Culicoides biting midges transmit several pathogens of veterinary importance in North America, but the vector status of many midge species is unresolved. Additionally, the available evidence of vector competence in these species is scattered and variable. The purpose of this review is to summarize current knowledge on confirmed and putative North American Culicoides arbovirus vectors.
Recent Findings
While the vector status of Culicoides sonorensis (EHDV, BTV, VSV) and Culicoides insignis (BTV) are well established, several other potential vector species have been recently identified. Frequently, these species are implicated based primarily on host-feeding, abundance, and/or detection of arboviruses from field-collected insects, and often lack laboratory infection and transmission data necessary to fully confirm their vector status. Recent genetic studies have also indicated that some wide-ranging species likely represent several cryptic species, further complicating our understanding of their vector status.
Summary
In most cases, laboratory evidence needed to fully understand the vector status of the putative Culicoides vectors is absent; however, it appears that several species are likely contributing to the transmission of arboviruses in North America.
Citation
McGregor, B. L., Shults, P. T., & McDermott, E. G. (2022). A Review of the Vector Status of North American Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) for Bluetongue Virus, Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Virus, and Other Arboviruses of Concern. Current Tropical Medicine Reports, 9 (4), 130-139. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40475-022-00263-8
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
