Blood meal analysis: host-feeding patterns of biting midges (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae, CulicoidesLatreille) in Slovakia

Biting midges of the genus Culicoidesare vectors of important pathogens affecting domestic and wild animals and have played a major role in the re-emergence of new outbreaks of bluetongue (BTV) and Schmallenberg (SBV) viruses in Europe. To determine vector-host specificity, trophic preference from blood meal analysis is of major importance in the surveillance of arthropod-borne diseases. Of 28,752 specimens collected, we identified 17 Culicoidesspecies and investigated a total of 48 host sequences from the blood meals. Culicoides obsoletus/C. scoticus, C. dewulfi, C. pulicaris, C. lupicaris, C. punctatus, C. newsteadi, C. riethi, and C. furcillatuswere found to feed on mammals (cattle, horses, and humans), birds (domestic chickens), small rodents (Apodemus flavicollis), and hares (Lepus europaeus). To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating trophic preferences of Culicoidesspp. in Slovakia. This study demonstrated that Culicoidesspecies are able to feed on domesticated host vertebrates as well as birds, rodents, and humans.