Methods for Enhancing the Blood Feeding Response of Field-Collected Culicoides impunctatus (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

Abstract

Handling methods were found to lengthen the time after capture that Culicoides impunctatus Goetghebuer could be blood fed successfully in the laboratory using an artificial membrane technique. By maintaining high levels of humidity in holding cages kept in a cool, dark environment, >30% feeding success was achieved 72 h after capture, when feeding was carried out at low light conditions.