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| − | This parasite is found worldwide and attacks humans and a wide variety of animals. | + | This parasite is found worldwide and attacks humans and a wide variety of animals. The only genus of the family ''Ceratopogonidae'' of current veterinary significance is ''Culicoides''. |
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| | + | The midge is a vector for several viruses, including [[Bluetongue Virus|Bluetongue]] and [[African Horse Sickness|African horse sickness]]. |
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| − | '''Recognition''' | + | A bite causes [[Skin Immunologic - Pathology#Culicoides hypersensitivity|'Sweet itch']], a culicoides hypersensitivity reaction. It causes allergic dermatitis of horses, primarily affecting the base of the tail and the withers, and induces an intermediate-type hypersensitivity reaction to the midge saliva. |
| − | Culicoides are small flies 2-5mm long with a dark colouring. They have a characteristic arched thorax giving a 'hump-backed' appearance. The wings are mottled.
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| − | '''Life cycle'''
| + | ==Identification== |
| − | Eggs are laid onto plants near water and the larvae fall into water and pupate. The life cycle takes '''6-12 months''' to complete in temperate climates but is only '''1 month''' in tropical climates.
| + | Culicoides are small flies 2-5mm long with a dark colouring, more commonly known as '''biting midges'''. They have a characteristic arched thorax giving a 'hump-backed' appearance. The wings are mottled. |
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| − | '''Pathogenesis'''
| + | ==Life cycle== |
| − | Culicoides is most active in late afternoon and early evening. Bites are painful and irritating. Only females suck blood.
| + | Eggs are laid onto plants near water and the larvae fall into water and pupate. The life cycle takes '''6-12 months''' to complete in temperate climates, but can take only '''1 month''' in tropical climates. Females of most species are adapted to sucking blood from the host. |
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| − | A bite causes [[Skin Immunologic - Pathology#Culicoides hypersensitivity|'Sweet itch']], a culicoides hypersensitivity reaction
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| − | *Seasonally occurring allergic dermatitis of horses
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| − | *Affects the base of the tail and the withers
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| − | *Intermediate-type hypersensitivity reaction to the midge saliva
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| − | The midge is a vector for several viruses:
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| − | *[[Bluetongue Virus|Bluetongue]]
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| − | *[[African Horse Sickness|African horse sickness]]
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| − | It is also a vector for several other parasites:
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| − | *''Onchocerca spp.'' in cattle and horses
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| − | *[[Parasitic skin infections - Pathology#Onchocerciasis|Onchocerciasis]]
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| − | *[[Parasitic skin infections - Pathology#Cutaneous habronemiasis|cutaneous habronemiasis]]
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| − | *[[Parasitic skin infections - Pathology#Stephanofilariasis|stephanofilariasis]]
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| − | '''Control''' | |
| − | This is difficult due to the extensive breeding sites but can include drainage of breeding sites, stabling horses at peak midge activity times e.g. from late afternoon to early morning, the use of insecticide fly strips in stables and topical fly repellent.
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| | [[Category:Biting_Flies]] | | [[Category:Biting_Flies]] |
| | [[Category:To_Do_-_Parasites]] | | [[Category:To_Do_-_Parasites]] |