Introduction
| Also known as: | Midges |
| The most important veterinary species | Culicoides |
- 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
- 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