Date of Graduation

7-2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences (PhD)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Advisor/Mentor

McDermott, Emily

Committee Member

Szalanski, Allen

Second Committee Member

Loftin, Kelly

Third Committee Member

Forbes, Kristian

Keywords

Culicoides, diversity, distribution, behavior, Arkansas, pathogens, livestock, wildlife

Abstract

Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are globally important vectors of pathogens affecting livestock and wildlife. In the United States (US), transmission of bluetongue virus (BTV), epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV), and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) results in economic losses and periodic mortality events of wild and domestic ruminants. Culicoides sonorensis is the confirmed vector of BTV and EHDV in the western regions of the US, however this species is uncommon throughout much of the eastern and southeastern US, where hemorrhagic diseases remain endemic. There are likely other putative vector species responsible for pathogen transmission. This research investigated Culicoides diversity, distribution, host associations and movement in Arkansas. Field surveillance across agricultural and sylvatic habitats characterized community composition and habitat associations of multiple Culicoides species, such as C. biguttatus, C. haematopotus, C. stellifer, and C. venustus. Movement between adjacent habitat types was examined to assess the potential for spillover at the wildlife-livestock interface, and results indicated that several species were associated with sylvatic habitats and may disperse short distances into nearby agricultural systems in search of blood meals. This movement between woodland and pasture habitats may facilitate pathogen transmission between wild and domestic ruminants. Host-feeding analyses further demonstrated that some species exhibit mammalian or avian host preferences, however many species are opportunistic feeders that feed on nearby available hosts. Collectively, this work advances the understanding of species composition and distribution across Arkansas, identifies putative vector species and susceptible hosts. This research provides foundational knowledge necessary to improve Culicoides surveillance in the southeast to improve Culicoides control and management of Culicoides-borne diseases.

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