Multiplication Rate of Bluetongue Virus in the Vector Cuucoides Variipennis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) Infected Orally

Abstract
Infectivity titrations (ELD50) of ground bluetongue virus-infected Culieoides variipennis females incubated at 23°C showed that an eclipse phase occurred by day 3 after oral infection. A great increase in titer occurred by day 4 (ELO50 = 104), with a slowing in the growth rate for 6 days through day 10 (ELO50 = 105) followed by a 2nd burst of BTV replication with a 100-fold increase in titer by day 14 (ELO50 = 107). This maximum titer of 107 ELO50/fly was maintained from day 14 until the tests were ended on day 35.