Species distribution and abundance ofCulicoidesLatreille (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) in Nigeria

Abstract

AbstractIn a country-wide survey ofCulicoidesin Nigeria 31 species were caught in light-traps set on the eaves of livestock pens. Three species, namelyC. imicolaKieff.,C. schultzei(End.) andC. milneiAust., were most numerous and were found in all parts of the country.C. austeniC., I. & M. was predominant in mangrove swamps,C. schultzeiin the hot Sudan zone andC. milneiwas dominant on the plateaux.C. imicolaandC. milneiwere predominant in the forest zone whileC. schultzeiandC. imicolawere dominant in the savanna zones.C. quinquelineatusGoetgh. was a southern species and was replaced in the north byC. moreliClastrier. Peak catches of most species were between 01.00 and 05.00 h and a large proportion of theCulicoideswere engorged with blood. The presence of large numbers of engorgedCulicoides, especiallyC. imicolaand C.milnei, around livestock indicates the danger of bluetongue virus transmission.