Blood sources of two major Simulium species in Hokkaido, Japan (Diptera, Simuliidae)

Abstract

The blood - meals of two major Simulium species of Hokkaido , Japan were examined immunologically by means of enzyme - linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in order to determine the bloed source animals of the blackflies . The sources of blood - meals were determined in 59 individuals out of 740 S . j ' aponi - cum and 44 individuals eut of 161 S . rufibasis . The blood - meals of S . j ' aPonicunt reacted with anti - human , - bovine , - horse , - sheep and - sika deer sera and those of S . rufibasis showed positive reaction to anti - bovine , - horse and - hurnan sera , None of the blood - meals reacted with anti - birds semm . The twe blackfly species have S - type tarsal claws and fiies belonging to this group are generally considered to be mammalophilic blood suckers . The results obtained in this study provide solid support for this theery .