The Study of Biting Midges Culicoides Latreille, 1809 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) and the Prevalence of Haemoproteus Kruse, 1890 (Haemosporida: Haemoproteidae) on the Curonian Spit of the Baltic Sea

Research on the Curonian Spit reveals that biting midges of the genus Culicoides are competent vectors for avian haemosporidian parasites, particularly Haemoproteus. The study identified 12 species of Culicoides, with C. kibunensis and C. pictipennis being dominant. Molecular analysis detected Haemoproteus DNA in 2.71% of midges, belonging to six genetic lineages, including H. parabelopolskyi hSYAT02, which was found in sporozoite form in two midge species. The findings suggest that these midges play a significant role in transmitting Haemoproteus parasites among birds on the Spit. The study employed light traps for midge collection and combined microscopic examination with PCR analysis to assess infection prevalence and genetic diversity.

Platonova, E., Erokhina, M., Mukhina, A., Davydov, A., & Mukhin, A. (2024). The Study of Biting Midges Culicoides Latreille, 1809 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) and the Prevalence of Haemoproteus Kruse, 1890 (Haemosporida: Haemoproteidae) on the Curonian Spit of the Baltic Sea. Diversity, 16(12), 723. https://doi.org/10.3390/d16120723