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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Molecular analysis of the biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 2.

Sequences from the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 2 gene (cox2) were determined for 14 species from the family Ceratopogonidae, representing 12 genera and all five subfamilies, along with six representatives of other nematoceran families. The purpose was to develop a molecular phylogeny of the Ceratopogonidae, and interpret the phylogenetic position of the family within the infraorder Culicomorpha. These taxa have been analysed using cladistic methodology which, in combination with an excellent fossil record, provides a well established morphological phylogeny. Sequence analysis of cox2 revealed a high degree of sequence divergence among the species, reflecting in part the antiquity of the family, but also a significant acceleration of sequence evolution in the ceratopogonids compared to other nematoceran Diptera. Phylogenetic reconstruction by neighbor-joining and maximum parsimony gave strong support for an early separation of an ancient lineage that includes the two genera, Austroconops and Leptoconops, from the remainder of the family. The results support the existence of a clade that includes two subfamilies, Dasyheleinae and Forcipomyiinae, and this clade appears as sister to the remaining subfamily, Ceratopogoninae. The molecular phylogeny also supports monophyly of the Ceratopogonidae, and either a sister or paraphyletic relationship of this family with the Chironomidae.

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PubMed2005

Abundance and diversity of human-biting flies (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae, Culicidae, Tabanidae, Simuliidae) around a nickel-copper smelter at Monchegorsk, northwestern Russia.

In the summers of 2001 and 2002, we quantitatively sampled human-biting flies in twelve sites located 1.6 to 63 km from a large copper-nickel smelter at Monchegorsk on the Kola Peninsula, Russia. We collected 429 specimens of three species of Ceratopogonidae, 92 specimens of seven species of Culicidae, 76 specimens of seven species of Tabanidae, and 4,788 specimens of 19 species of Simuliidae. Culicoides chiropterus was for the first time reported from the Kola Peninsula. Catches of Culicidae and Simuliidae decreased near the smelter, presumably due to the combined action of toxicity of pollutants, pollution-induced forest damage, and decline in vertebrate density. An abundance of Ceratopogonidae and Tabanidae, the size of the most common black fly species, Simulium pusillum, and the diversity of all families did not change along the pollution gradient.

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PubMed1991

Isolation of Tahyna virus from biting midges (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) in Czecho-Slovakia.

A total of 14,250 haematophagous biting midges (genus Culicoides, Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) were collected in June 1986 in the mountains Ceskomoravská vysocina (about 600 m above sea level); from these 2 strains of Tahyna virus (serogroup California, Bunyaviridae) were isolated. To our knowledge this is the first isolation of a California serogroup virus from the species of family Ceratopogonidae as well as the first report of arbovirus isolation from biting midges in Europe.

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PubMed1986

[The small halophilic zygopteric odonate, Mortonagrion hirosei, of central Japan, a predator utilizable against tiny stinging diptera of coastal salt marshes, especially Ceratopogonidae of the genera Culicoides and Oecacta, pests of sea shores in southwestern U.S.A. and Caribbean area].

Among stinging diptera pullulating in coastal salt marshes Ceratopogonidae gnats (mainly of genus Culicoides and Oecacta) are especially troublesome, particularly in Southeastern U. S. A. and Caribbean area, escaping attacks of most predators by their tiny size. But the zygopteric odonate insect Mortonagrion hirosei is well fitted for hunting those minute diptera, by its tiny size and its behaviour, seeking shelter between halophilic plants (2 facts explaining that it was not discovered in central Japan before 1971...). Its larvae, living in brackish waters of coastal lagoons, can devour those of Ceratopogonidae and at least young stages of those of Mosquitoes whose some halophilic species are dangerous vectors of diseases. According to similarity of climates M. hirosei can certainly thrive in Southeastern U. S. A., and probably in Southern Europe. At lower latitudes problems for completion of annual cycle could perhaps arise from lack of hivernal cooling. It is necessary to make at the world scale methodical researches for other species of zygopteric odonates of similar ecology which could exist in other countries, both for avoiding harmful competition of introduced M. hirosei with native species still unknown and for fulfilling the same ecological function in areas of climate no suitable for this Japanese insect. Introduction of M. hirosei in new geographic areas would be very useful, too, for protection of this interesting species threatened by human activities in its natural biotopes, made of discontinuous and rather little areas.

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PubMed1989

Cell lines from Culicoides variipennis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) support replication of bluetongue virus.

Cell lines have been developed from 2-day-old embryos of the biting midge, Culicoides variipennis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). In North America C. variipennis is the primary insect vector of bluetongue virus (BTV), an orbivirus that causes disease of ruminants. The C. variipennis (CuVa) cells, grown in Schneider's Drosophila medium, consist primarily of a fibroblast-like cell type. CuVa cells are very hardy. They can grow over a wide range of temperature and pH and adapt to growth in minimal essential medium. BTV replicates to high titer (7.5-8.0 log10 50% tissue culture infectious doses/ml) in CuVa cells over a wide range of temperatures (19 degrees to 37 degrees C) without inducing any significant cytopathic effects. The highest BTV titers were obtained in CuVa cells grown at 25 degrees and 32 degrees C. Cells from C. variipennis can be useful for many diverse investigations.

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PubMed1990

Fine structure and sporogonic development of a Vavraia sp. (Microsporida: Pleistophoridae) in the biting midge Culicoides edeni (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae).

A microsporidium with ultrastructural characteristics of the genus Vavraia was found in the fat body of an adult specimen of Culicoides edeni (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) collected in northern Florida. The sporogonial stages developed within sporophorous vesicles, which contained variable numbers of oval spores at maturity. The wall of the sporophorous vesicle was composed of two electron-dense outer layers and an electron-lucent intermediate layer. Sporonts contained haplokaryotic nuclei and divided by rosette formation. Mature spores had anisofilar polar filaments and measured 3.8 +/- 0.28 microns in length and 2.2 +/- 0.16 microns in width in thick sections of resin-embedded material. This is the first report of a Vavraia sp. from a species of Culicodes.

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PubMed2005

Paleohaemoproteus burmacis gen. n., sp. n. (Haemospororida: Plasmodiidae) from an Early Cretaceous biting midge (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae).

Paleohaemoproteus burmacis gen. n., sp. n. (Haemospororida: Plasmodiidae) is described from the abdominal cavity of a female biting midge (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) preserved in 100 million year old amber from Myanmar (Burma). The description is based on the developmental stages of oocysts and sporozoites. The fossil species differs from extant species of Haemoproteus by its wide range of oocyst sizes, small sporozoites and occurrence in an extinct species of biting midge. Numerous sporozoites in the abdominal cavity suggest that the biting midge was an effective vector of this malarial parasite. Characters of the biting midge suggest that the host was a large, cold-blooded vertebrate. This is the earliest record of a malaria parasite and first indication that Early Cretaceous reptiles were infected with haemosporidial parasites.

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PubMed1999

Two new species of larval mites (Acari: Trombidioidea: Microtrombidiidae and Johnstonianidae) parasitising Culicoides impunctatus, the highland midge (Insecta: Ceratopogonidae), in Scotland.

The larval stage of the trombidioid mites Parafeiderium stuarti n. sp. (family Microtrombidiidae Thor, 1935) and Centrotrombidium blackwellae n. sp. (family Johnstonianidae Newell, 1957) are described. Both species were found parasitising Culicoides impunctatus Goetghebuer, the highland midge (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), in Scotland. A revised diagnosis for Parafeiderium Vercammen-Grandjean & Cochrane, 1974 and a key to the world species of larval Centrotrombidium Kramer, 1896 are given.

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PubMed1997

Lizard feeding by Leptoconops (Brachyconops) californiensis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) on desert sand dunes.

Adult females of Leptoconops (Brachyconops) californiensis Wirth & Atchley and 1 female of Leptoconops (Holoconops) sp. near knowltoni were collected from 5 species of lizards in desert sand dune habitats in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, California, and northern Sonora, Mexico. Feeding by L. californiensis was observed on the dorsum (usually the heads) of the lizards, with up to 6 L. californiensis on a host at 1 time. The L. sp. near knowltoni appeared to be trying to feed but did not contain blood. Midges fed during calm, warm daylight periods from March through October. Reptile feeding by Ceratopogonidae is reviewed.

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