A Survey of Culicoides Midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) Associated with Cattle Operations in Florida, USA1

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Species composition and seasonal prevalence of Culicoides spp. associated with cattle at 5 sites in peninsular Florida, USA, were studied from April 1980 to April 1982. Based on light-trap data, C. insignis was the most common species occurring at Orange Lake, Ona, and Belle Glade, while C. variipennis was the predominant species at the site near Bell and also at Brooksville. Seasonal peaks of C. variipennis populations occurred in the spring and early summer, while C. insignis populations reached maximum levels in late summer and fall. During the 2-year study, 115,916 specimens representing 23 species were identified from the 5 peninsular sites. The fewest Culicoides species (6) were taken at Belle Glade and the most (17) were taken at Orange Lake.