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→Vector Competence
A British population of ''C. obsoletus'' has been shown to have and oral susceptibility rate of less than 2%<sup>1</sup>, suggesting that ''C. obsoletus'' is likely to be an inefficient or minor vector of BTV in the UK. However, it is possible that a high abundance or survival rate may compensate for this low vector competence. Indeed, ''C. brevitarsis'', the major Australian vector of BTV, has an extremely low experimental competency yet is an effective vector in the field.
A British population of ''C. obsoletus'' has been shown to have and oral susceptibility rate of less than 2%<sup>1</sup>, suggesting that ''C. obsoletus'' is likely to be an inefficient or minor vector of BTV in the UK. However, it is possible that a high abundance or survival rate may compensate for this low vector competence. Indeed, ''C. brevitarsis'', the major Australian vector of BTV, has an extremely low experimental competency yet is an effective vector in the field.
Two other ''Culicoides'' species, ''C. nuberculous'' and ''C. impunctatus'', exist in mainland Europe and the UK, and have been experimentally infected with bluetongue virus.
===Epidemiology===
===Epidemiology===