Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A comparison of four light traps for collecting Culicoides biting midges

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Parasitology Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Epidemiological analyses of vector-associated diseases such as bluetongue (BT), African horse sickness, or epizootic hemorrhagic disease require substantiated data on the species diversity and activity patterns of vector species. To this end, Spain and Italy implemented extensive Culicoides biting midge monitoring programs since 2000, as several other countries did after the arrival of BT in northern Europe in 2006. The seasonal occurrence, spatial distribution, and abundance of Culicoides species, as the major results of such monitoring programs, are used as parameters for assessing the risk of virus introduction and transmission in a given area. However, the quality of entomological monitoring results fundamentally depends on the collection techniques. In this publication, we describe a Latin Square design trial carried out in Germany under field conditions in 2009/2010 to compare the efficacy of four commonly used light baited/suction traps in collecting Culicoides. A total of 2651 Culicoides were caught over 18 nights. In both years, the Onderstepoort and BG-Sentinel traps caught significantly more Culicoides than the Rieb and the CDC trap. Most specimens were caught by the Onderstepoort trap (1246, i.e., 76 % in 2009 and 819, i.e., 82 % in 2010). Most were classified as midges of the Culicoides obsoletus group.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Baldet T, Delécolle JC, Mathieu B, de La Rocque S, Roger F (2004) Entomological surveillance of bluetongue in France in 2002. Vet Ital 40(3):226–231

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Balenghien T, Cêtre-Sossah C, Grillet C, Delécolle JC, Mathieu B, Baldet T (2008) Dirunal activity of potential bluetongue vectors in northern Europe. Vet Rec 162:323–324

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barnard DR (1980) Effectiveness of light-traps for assessing airborne Culicoides variipennis populations. J Econ Entomol 73(6):844–846

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baylis M, Parkin H, Kreppel K, Carpenter S, Mellor PS, McIntyre KM (2010) Evaluation of housing as a means to protect cattle from Culicoides biting midges, the vectors of bluetongue virus. Med Vet Entomol 24(1):38–45

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cagienard A, Griot C, Mellor PS, Denison E, Stärk KDC (2006) Bluetongue vector species of Culicoides in Switzerland. Med Vet Entomol 20:239–247

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Capela R, Purse BV, Pena I, Wittmann EJ, Margarita Y, Capela M, Romao L, Mellor PS, Baylis M (2003) Spatial distribution of Culicoides species in Portugal in relation to the transmission of African horse sickness and bluetongue viruses. Med Vet Entomol 17:165–177

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Caracappa S, Torina A, Guercio A, Vitale F, Calabro A, Purpari G, Ferrantelli V, Vitale M, Mellor PS (2003) Identification of a novel bluetongue virus vector species of Culicoides in Sicily. Vet Rec 153:71–74

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carpenter S, Szmaragd C, Barber J, Labuschagne K, Gubbins S, Mellor P (2008) An assessment of Culicoides surveillance techniques in northern Europe: have we underestimated a potential bluetongue virus vector? J Appl Ecol 45:1237–1245

    Google Scholar 

  • Carpenter S, Sanders C, Wilson A, Barber J, Denison E, Harrup L, Veronesi E, Golding N, Mellor P (2009) Host-location and flight behaviour of Culicoides in the UK: current status of work and possible future directions. Rev Elev Med Vet Pay 62(2–4):126

    Google Scholar 

  • De Deken G, Madder M, Deblauwe I, De Clercq K, Fassotte C, Losson B, Haubruge E, De Deken R (2008) Vector monitoring at Belgian outbreak sites during the bluetongue epidemic of 2006. Prev Vet Med 87:64–73

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • del Río R, Monerris M, Miranda MA, Calvete C, Borràs D, Miquel M, Estrada R, Lucientes J (2009) Two years of Culicoides trap comparison in the Balearic islands. Rev Elev Med Vet Pay 62(2–4)

  • del Río R, Monerris M, Miquel M, Borras D, Calvete C, Estrada R, Lucientes J, Miranda MA (2013) Collection of Culicoides spp. with four light trap models during different seasons in the Balearic Islands. Vet Parasitol 195(1–2):150–156

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Delécolle JC (1985) Nouvelle contribution à l’étude systématique et iconographique des espèces du genre Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) du Nord-Est de la France. Thesis at the Université Louis Pasteur de Strasbourg, U.E.R sciences «vie et terre», 239 pp

  • Fassotte C, Delécolle JC, Cors R, Defrance T, De Deken R, Haubruge E, Losson B (2008) Culicoides trapping with Rothamsted suction traps before and during the bluetongue epidemic of 2006 in Belgium. Prev Vet Med 87:74–83

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gerry A, Sarto I, Monteys V, Moreno Vidal JO, Francino O, Mullens BA (2009) Biting rates of Culicoides midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) on sheep in northeastern Spain in relation to midge capture using UV Light and carbon dioxide-baited traps. J Med Entomol 46(3):615–624

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goffredo M, Meiswinkel R (2004) Entomological surveillance of bluetongue in Italy: methods of capture, catch analysis and identification of Culicoides biting midges. Vet Ital 40(3):260–265

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goldarazena A, Romón P, Aduriz G, Balenghien T, Baldet T, Delécolle JC (2008) First record of Culicoides imicola, the main vector of bluetongue virus in Europe, in the Basque Country (northern Spain). Vet Rec 162:820–821

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hoffmann B, Bauer B, Bauer C, Bätza HJ, Beer M, Clausen PH, Geier M, Gethmann JM, Kiel E, Liebisch A, Liebisch A, Mehlhorn H, Schaub GA, Werner D, Conraths FJ (2009) Monitoring of putative vectors of bluetongue virus serotype 8, Germany. Emerg Infect Dis 15(9):1481–1484

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hope A, Gubbins S, Sanders C, Denison E, Barber J, Stubbins F, Baylis M, Carpenter S (2015) A comparison of commercial light-emitting diode baited suction traps for surveillance of Culicoides in northern Europe. Parasit Vectors 8:239

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hoshmand AR (1997) Latin Square designs statistical methods for environmental and agricultural sciences, 2nd edn. Crc Pr Inc, Boca Raton, pp 206–218

    Google Scholar 

  • Kettle DS, Edwards PB, Barnes A (1998) Factors affecting numbers of Culicoides in truck traps in coastal Queensland. Med Vet Entomol 12:367–377

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kiel E, Liebisch G, Focke R, Liebisch A (2009) Monitoring of Culicoides at 20 locations in northwest Germany. Parasitol Res 105:351–357

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kirkeby C, Graesboll K, Stockmarr A, Christiansen LE, Bodker R (2013a) The range of attraction for light traps catching Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). Parasit Vectors 6:67

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kirkeby C, Stockmarr A, Bødker R, Lind P (2013b) Spatio-temporal optimization of sampling for bluetongue vectors (Culicoides) near grazing livestock. Parasit Vectors 6:151

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Larska M, Lechowski L, Grochowska M, Żmudziński JF (2013) Detection of the Schmallenberg virus in nulliparous Culicoides obsoletus/scoticus complex and C. punctatus—the possibility of transovarial virus transmission in the midge population and of a new vector. Vet Microbiol 166(3–4):467–473

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lloyd AM, Kline DL, Hogsette JA, Kaufman PE, Allan SA (2008) Evaluation of two commercial traps for the collection of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). J Am Mosq Contr 24(2):253–262

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lühken R, Pfitzner WP, Börstler J, Garms R, Huber K, Schork N, Steinke S, Kiel E, Becker N, Tannich E, Krüger A (2014) Field evaluation of four widely used mosquito traps in Central Europe. Parasit Vectors 7:268

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mehlhorn H, Walldorf V, Klimpel S, Schaub G, Kiel E, Focke R, Liebisch G, Liebisch A, Werner D, Bauer C, Clausen H, Bauer B, Geier M, Hörbrand T, Bätza HJ, Conraths FJ, Hoffmann B, Beer M (2009) Bluetongue disease in Germany (2007–2008): monitoring of entomological aspects. Parasitol Res 105:313–319

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Meiswinkel R, Goffredo M, Leis P, Conte A (2008) The Culicoides ‘snapshot’: a novel approach used to assess vector densities widely and rapidly during the 2006 outbreak of bluetongue (BT) in The Netherlands. Prev Vet Med 87:98–118

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mellor PS, Boorman J, Baylis M (2000) Culicoides biting midges: their role as arbovirus vectors. Annu Rev Entomol 45:307–340

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mellor P, Tabachnick WJ, Baldet T, Baylis M, Bellis G, Calistri P, Delecolle JC, Goffredo M, Meiswinkel R, Mullens BA, Scaramozzino P, Torina A, Venter G, White DJ (2004) Conclusions of working groups. Group 2. Vectors. Proceedings of the 3rd OIE Bluetongue International Symposium, 26–29 October 2003, Taormina, Italy. Vet Ital 40(4):715–717

    Google Scholar 

  • Miranda MA, Rincón C, Borràs D (2004) Seasonal abundance of Culicoides imicola and C. obsoletus in the Balearic islands. Vet Ital 40(3):292–295

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nielsen SA, Nielsen BO, Chirico J (2010) Monitoring of biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae: Culicoides Latreille) on farms in Sweden during the emergence of the 2008 epidemic of bluetongue. Parasitol Res 106:1197–1203

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Patakakis MJ, Papazahariadou M, Wilson A, Mellor PS, Frydas S, Papadopoulos O (2009) Distribution of Culicoides in Greece. J Vector Ecol 34(2):243–251

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Perry JN, Wall C, Greenway AR (1980) Latin square designs in field experiments involving insect sex attractants. Ecol Entomol 5(4):385–396

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rasmussen LD, Kirkeby C, Bodker R, Kristensen B, Rasmussen TB, Belsham GJ, Botner A (2014) Rapid spread of Schmallenberg virus-infected biting midges (Culicoides spp.) across Denmark in 2012. Transbound Emerg Dis 61(1):12–6

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rieb JP (1982) Contribution à la connaissance de l’écologie et de la biologie des Cératopogonidés (Diptera, Nematocera) Thèse de Doctorat es Sciences Naturelles (Diplôme d’État), U.E.R., Vie et Terre, n°10, 395 pages

  • Sanders CJ, Burgin L, Pallot A, Barber J, Golding N, Carpenter S, Gloster J (2010) A study of potential bluetongue vectors and meteorology in Jersey. Weather 65(1):21–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanders CJ, Shortall CR, Gubbins S, Burgin L, Gloster J, Harrington R, Reynolds DR, Mellor P, Carpenter S (2011) Influence of season and meteorological parameters on flight activity of Culicoides biting midges. J Appl Ecol 48:1355–1364

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanders CJ, Gubbins S, Mellor PS, Barber J, Golding N, Harrup L, Carpenter ST (2012) Investigation of diel activity of Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in the United Kingdom by using a vehicle-mounted trap. J Med Entomol 49(3):757–765

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sarto I, Monteys V, Delécolle JC, Moreno-Vidal JO, Pinna M (2009) New records of biting midges of the genus Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) for Spain and Catalonia Autonomous Community (Ne Spain), with notes on their biology and veterinary importance. Proc Entomol Soc Wash 111(3):714–733

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skrock O (2011) Zur Wirksamkeit unterschiedlicher Netzprototypen zum Schutz von Milchvieh und Kälbern vor Überträgern (Gnitzen, Culicoides spp.) der Blauzungenkrankheit und anderen Lästlingsinsekten. Ph.D. thesis. Freie Universität Berlin

  • Torina A, Caracappa S, Mellor PS, Baylis M, Purse BV (2004) Spatial distribution of bluetongue virus and its Culicoides vectors in Sicily. Med Vet Entomol 18:81–89

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Venter GJ, Hermanides KG (2006) Comparison of black and white light for collecting Culicoides imicola and other livestock-associated Culicoides species in South Africa. Vet Parasitol 142:383–385

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Venter GJ, Hermanides KG, Boikanyo SNB, Majatladi DM, Morey L (2009a) The effect of light trap height on the numbers of Culicoides midges collected under field conditions in South Africa. Vet Parasitol 166:343–345

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Venter GJ, Labuschagne K, Hermanides KG, Boikanyo SNB, Majatladi DM, Morey L (2009b) Comparison of the efficiency of five suction light traps under field conditions in South Africa for the collection of Culicoides species. Vet Parasitol 166(3–4):299–307

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Viennet E, Garros C, Lancelot R, Allène X, Gardès L, Rakotoarivony I, Crochet D, Delécolle JC, Moulia C, Baldet T, Balenghien T (2011) Assessment of vector/host contact: comparison of animal-baited traps and UV-light/suction trap for collecting Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), vectors of Orbiviruses. Parasit Vectors 4(1)

Download references

Acknowledgments

We especially acknowledge the assistance of Dr. Andreas Fröhlich and Jana Sonnenburg for their advice on the statistical analysis of the data and thank Birgit Mintel for helping count the midges. The study was part of the Medreonet project, and we appreciate the kind support of the Medreonet partners for providing us the Onderstepoort, Rieb, and CDC traps.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany

    Carolina Probst, Jörn M. Gethmann & Franz J. Conraths

  2. Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Infectology, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany

    Helge Kampen

  3. Institute of Land Use Systems, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Müncheberg, Germany

    Doreen Werner

Authors
  1. Carolina Probst
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jörn M. Gethmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Helge Kampen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Doreen Werner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Franz J. Conraths
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Carolina Probst.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Probst, C., Gethmann, J.M., Kampen, H. et al. A comparison of four light traps for collecting Culicoides biting midges. Parasitol Res 114, 4717–4724 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-015-4720-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-015-4720-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation