Species diversity and seasonal abundance ofCulicoidesbiting midges in northwestern Argentina

Abstract

The species diversity and seasonal abundance of biting midges of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) were studied in northwestern Argentina during the period 2003-2005. A total of 5437 Culicoides specimens were collected using CDC light traps in three areas of the mountainous rainforest area. The most common species were Culicoides paraensis (Goeldi) and C. insignis Lutz, Culicoides lahillei (Iches), C. venezuelensis Ortiz & Mirsa, C. debilipalpis Lutz and C. crescentis Wirth & Blanton were also collected. Culicoides paraensis was abundant during the summer, and C. insignis and C. lahillei during late summer and early fall. Accumulated rainfall was the climatic variable most related to fluctuation in abundance of C. paraensis.

Ceratopogonidae (Diptera: Nematocera) of the piedmont of the Yungas forests of Tucumán: ecology and distribution

“…Regarding seasonality of Culicoides genera in northwestern Argentina, Veggiani Aybar et al (2010b) and Veggiani Aybar et al (2012) determined population peaks during summer, autumn and spring to a lesser extent in Tucumán province, and during spring and summer but gradually diminishing towards winter in Salta province; in agreement with in the findings of the present study.…”

“…In the study area, Salomón et al (2006) determined the spatial and temporal distribution of risk and the regional epidemiological trends of tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL), a type of Leishmania which is endemic of the Yungas of Argentina. The data presented here in addition to other studies carried out in the area (Veggiani Aybar et al, 2010b; Veggiani Aybar et al, 2012; Veggiani-Aybar, 2015) represent a starting point for continuing with the study of this genus in areas where its distribution matches that of the family Psychodidae, the main vectors of this parasite in the region (Córdoba Lanús & Salomón, 2002; Salomón et al, 2006; Quintana, Fernández & Salomón, 2012). …”

“…Austroconops Wirth & Lee (only one australian species), Culicoides Latreille, Leptoconops Skuse and Forcipomyia Meigen (subgenus Lasiohelea ) are implied in the transmission of arbovirus, parasites and protozoa that cause diseases both in humans and other animals (Mellor, Boorman & Baylis, 2000; Borkent & Spinelli, 2007; Veggiani Aybar et al, 2010b; Veggiani Aybar et al, 2015). Other genera proportion important services in ecological systems, such as Forcipomyia and Dasyhelea Kieffer, to a lesser extent Atrichopogon Kieffer, Culicoides and Stilobezzia Kieffer which are potential pollinators of different crops, such as cocoa ( Theobroma cacao Linnaeus), rubber ( Hevea brasiliensis Müller Argoviensis), and mango ( Mangifera indica Linnaeus) in tropical regions (Borkent & Spinelli, 2007; Bravo, Somarriba & Arteaga, 2011); while some species of Forcipomyia and Culicoides are ectoparasites of insects, sucking the lymph of lepidopterans, coleopterans, odonata, phasmids, neuropterans and hemipterans (Borkent, 2004).…”

“…These studies determined the spatio-temporal abundance of Culicoides spp. and the influence of meteorological variables (temperature, accumulated rainfall, humidity, etc) in their abundance, behavior and distribution, and the interactions between pathogens and vectors (Veggiani Aybar et al, 2010b; Veggiani Aybar et al, 2011; Veggiani Aybar et al, 2012; Veggiani Aybar et al, 2015); however, such aspects have not been studied in other families of Ceratopogonidae of the area. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the presence and abundance of the main genera of Ceratopogonidae in piedmont forests of Tucumán province, and to evaluate the effect of meteorological variables in their distribution.…”

The Spatio-Temporal Distribution Patterns of Biting Midges of the GenusCulicoidesin Salta Province, Argentina

“…Fifty-one Culicoides species have been reported for Argentina, of which 21 were reported in the northeast (Spinelli et al 2005), such as Culicoides insignis Lutz, Culicoides venezuelensis Ortiz and Mirsa, Culicoides leopoldoi Ortiz, Culicoides limai Barretto, Culicoides flinti Wirth, Culicoides debilipalpis Lutz, Culicoides paraensis Goeldi, and Culicoides guttatus Coquillett. In the northwest of the country, six species have been reported: Culicoides crescentis Wirth and Blanton, C. debilipalpis , Culicoides lahillei Iches, C. insignis , C. paraensis , and C. venezuelensis (Veggiani Aybaret al 2010). …”