Synthèse bibliographique : l'écologie larvaire des culicoïdes (Diptera : Ceratopogonidae)

Abstract

Review: larval ecology of Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). This paper reviews the larval ecology of Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in order to bring together knowledge, often very scattered, of breeding sites currently identified worldwide for the main species of Culicoides biting midges. These bloodsucking midges are involved in the transmission to animals of various parasites (protozoa and filarial worms) and viruses. Larval development of Culicoides is usually better in moist substrates rich in organic matter. Each species, however, has its own ecological requirements and therefore has its own specific microhabitat. In this review breeding sites are divided into aquatic and semi-aquatic freshwater substrates, salt or brackish water substrates, terrestrial substrates and anthropic substrates linked to breeding activity. The larval habitats of many species of the genus Culicoides, however, remain undiscovered. Knowledge of breeding sites and their characterization are essential in order to allow the development of effective control strategies against these vector insects, thus allowing the strengthening of livestock vaccination programs and other control methods. The study of currently identified breeding sites could help in guiding the direction of future ecological research investigations and in developing proposals to control these vector midges.

Keywords

• Culicoides
• larvae
• habitats
• vectors
• viruses
• control methods
• bluetongue