Culicoides biting midges(Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) collected at Iriomote Island, Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan, and their blood source

Abstract

A total of 1,825 individuals belonging to 22 species Culicoides biting midges were captured at Iriomote Is., Japan, on May 3-6, 2003 by light traps. C. albifascia was the most predominant species followed by C. verbosus, C. sumatrae and C. okinawensis. C. arnaudi was recorded from Iriomote Is. for the first time. The blood engorgement was obserbed in 72 individuals of 7 species. As the result of ELISA analysis of the blood meals, C. albifascia was determined to be an ornithophilic species for the first time.