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*Found worldwide
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This parasite is found worldwide and attacks a wide variety of animals and also attacks humans.
 
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*Attacks a wide variety of animals and also attacks humans
         
'''Recognition'''
 
'''Recognition'''
*Small flies 2-5mm long
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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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*Dark colouring
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*Arched thorax giving a 'hump-backed' appearance
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*Mottled wings  
         
'''Life cycle'''
 
'''Life cycle'''
*Eggs laid on plants near water
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Eggsare laid on to 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.
 
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*Larvae fall into water and pupate
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*Life cycle takes '''6-12 months''' to complete in temperate climates
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**Takes only '''1 month''' in tropical climates
         
'''Pathogenesis'''
 
'''Pathogenesis'''
*Most active in late afternoon and early evening
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Culicoides is most active in late afternoon and early evening. Bites are painful and irritating. Only females suck blood.
 
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*Painful irritating bites
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**Only females suck blood
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*Causes [[Skin Immunologic - Pathology#Culicoides hypersensitivity|'Sweet itch']], a culicoides hypersensitivity reaction
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A bite causes [[Skin Immunologic - Pathology#Culicoides hypersensitivity|'Sweet itch']], a culicoides hypersensitivity reaction
**Seasonally occurring allergic dermatitis of horses
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*Seasonally occurring allergic dermatitis of horses
**Affects the base of the tail and the withers
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*Affects the base of the tail and the withers
**Intermediate-type hypersensitivity reaction to the midge saliva
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*Intermediate-type hypersensitivity reaction to the midge saliva
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*Vectors for viruses
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The midge is a vector for several viruses:
**[[Bluetongue Virus|Bluetongue]] and [[African Horse Sickness|African horse sickness]]
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*[[Bluetongue Virus|Bluetongue]]  
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*[[African Horse Sickness|African horse sickness]]
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*Vectors for parasites
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It is also a vector for several parasites:
**''Onchocerca spp.'' in cattle and horses
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*''Onchocerca spp.'' in cattle and horses
**[[Parasitic skin infections - Pathology#Protozoa|Protozoal skin infections]]
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*[[Parasitic skin infections - Pathology#Protozoa|Protozoal skin infections]]
    
*Causes [[Parasitic skin infections - Pathology#Flies|skin infections]]  
 
*Causes [[Parasitic skin infections - Pathology#Flies|skin infections]]  
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'''Control'''
 
'''Control'''
This is difficult due to the extensive breeding sites
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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.
*Drainage of breeding sites
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*Stable horses at peak midge activity times e.g. from late afternoon to early morning
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*Insecticide fly strips in stable
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*Topical fly repellent
      
Cause [[Culicoides Hypersensitivity]]
 
Cause [[Culicoides Hypersensitivity]]
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