Abstract:
Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are small hematophagous insects of livestock, birds and humans in tropical and subtropical regions of the world show differential host preferences and acts as vectors of several pathogens, like viruses (Bluetongue, African Horse Sickness and Schmallenberg) and filarial nematodes, among others where female biting midges are responsible for huge economic losses worldwide. The present work was designed to identify the existing Culicoides species in different districts (Bannu, Lakki marwat Karak, Kohat, Hangu and Orakzai) of Southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa based on the suitable ecological conditions, like low vegetation and humidity with high temperature to thick vegetation and high humidity with low temperature using miniature CDC light traps. A total of 731 Culicoides (523 male and 208 females) were collected during the field work by using CDC light traps. Morphologically, at least six Culicoides species were identified differentiated as Culicoides oxystoma, C. kohistanensis, C. imicola, C. cornutus, C. puncticolis, C. kingi on the basis of their wing pattern under the stereo microscope. Eighteen female Culicoides (three from Bannu, 6 from Lakki marwat and 9 from Orakzai) were found engorged. The prevalence of Culicoides kingi was high (25.30%) observed in all sampling sites followed by Culicoides imicola (16.14%). A deeper knowledge of Culicoides fauna present in each country and their ecological preferences is required, so different control strategies can be applied efficiently. The results presented in this scientific work contributed to a better knowledge of Culicoides genus in Pakistan, where some of them are of worldwide relevance.
Page(s):
31-31
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Abstract Book on International Conference on Life Sciences (ICLS-23) 11-12 May 22-23, Volume: 0, Issue: 0, Year: 2023
Keywords:
African Horse Sickness
,
CDC light traps
,
Bluetongue
,
biting midges
,
Culicoides