Ceratopogonidae

• Also known as midges

• Culicoides the most important veterinary species

• Found worldwide

• Attacks a wide variety of animals and also attacks humans

Recognition

• Small flies 2-5mm long

• Dark colouring

• Arched thorax giving a 'hump-backed' appearance

• Mottled wings

Life cycle

• Eggs laid on plants near water

• Larvae fall into water and pupate

• Life cycle takes 6-12 months to complete in temperate climates
  • Takes only 1 month in tropical climates

Pathogenesis

• Most active in late afternoon and early evening

• Painful irritating bites
  • Only females suck blood

• Causes 'Sweet itch', a culicoides hypersensitivity reaction
  • Seasonally occurring allergic dermatitis of horses
  • Affects the base of the tail and the withers
  • Intermediate-type hypersensitivity reaction to the midge saliva

• Vectors for viruses
  • Bluetongue and African horse sickness

• Vectors for parasites
  • Onchocerca spp. in cattle and horses
  • Protozoal skin infections

• Causes skin infections
  • Onchocerciasis
  • Involved in cutaneous habronemiasis
  • Involved in stephanofilariasis

Control This is difficult due to the extensive breeding sites

• Drainage of breeding sites
• Stable horses at peak midge activity times e.g. from late afternoon to early morning
• Insecticide fly strips in stable
• Topical fly repellent