A video clip of the biting midge Culicoides anophelis ingesting blood from an engorged Anopheles mosquito in Hainan, China
Year: 2013
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Biting midges are hematophagus ectoparasites of insects, humans and other animals. Culicoides (Trithicoides) anophelis Edwards1922 is a predator of engorged mosquitoes. FINDINGS: In a field trip of wild mosquito collections, C. anophelis was found on two Anopheles mosquitoes. One mosquito with a midge clinging onto its abdomen was caught on video demonstrating the act of the midge taking blood from the engorged mosquito Anopheles vagus. The midge C. anophelis has a broad host range. Documented in the literature, the midge has been found in various mosquito species in the genera Anopheles, Culex, Aedes and Armigeres. CONCLUSIONS: A video clip was presented demonstrating a midge taking blood from an engorged mosquito. The host promiscuity of C. anophelis raises a concern about its potential as a mechanic or biological vector to spread viruses among mosquito populations.
Source: Parasites & Vectors
Authors: Yajun Ma, Jiannong Xu, Zhenzhou Yang, Xiaohua Wang, Zhongling Lin, Wei Zhao, Yan Wang, Xiangyu Li, Hua Shi
Language: English
Topic: Vector-Borne Animal Diseases
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,090
OpenAlex ID: W2109792367