Ehdv
Guides
Culicoides
biting midges, no-see-ums
Culicoides is a genus of over 1,000 species of biting midges in the family Ceratopogonidae. These tiny flies, measuring 1–3 mm in length, are significant vectors of animal pathogens including bluetongue virus, epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus, and Schmallenberg virus. Only females take blood meals, required for egg maturation, while both sexes feed on nectar. The genus has a fossil record extending to approximately 99 million years ago in Burmese amber.
Culicoides variipennis
biting midge, no-see-um
Culicoides variipennis is a biting midge in the subgenus Monoculicoides, less than 1 mm in length. The species complex includes multiple subspecies with varying vector competence for livestock viruses. It is a significant vector of Bluetongue virus, African horse sickness virus, Akabane virus, and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus in North America. Subspecies show distinct geographic distributions and morphological differences, particularly in male genitalia and female palpal segments.