Culicoides species composition and abundance on Irish cattle farms: implications for arboviral disease transmission.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Following the emergence of Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in Ireland in 2012, a sentinel herd surveillance program was established in the south of Ireland with the primary aim of investigating the species composition and abundance of Culicoides on livestock farms in the region. METHODS:Ultraviolet-light trapping for Culicoides was carried out on 10 sentinel farms. Each site was sampled fortnightly over 16 weeks (21st July to 5th November 2014). One Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute UV light trap was run overnight at each site and catches were transferred immediately into 70% ethanol. Culicoides were morphologically identified to species level. Collection site habitats were characterised using the Phase 1 habitat survey technique (Joint Nature Conservation Committee). RESULTS:A total

SUBMITTER: Collins AB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6098625 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature