Vol. 10, Special Issue 4 (2021)

Author(s):
N Sathiyamoorthy, G Ponnudurai, K Senthilvel, N Rani and K Ramya

Abstract:
The study was undertaken to know the prevalence of different species of Culicoides in Namakkal (2015-16). The flies were collected during rainy season (Southwest Monsoon: June, July, August and September: North West Monsoon: October, November and December), winter season (January, February) and Summer season (March, April and May) in livestock farms by using UV-light traps from 6pm to 6am. The trap were positioned 1.5-2.0m above the ground level within 25cm in a glass collecting beaker with 200-300ml of water (to which a drop of detergent was added to reduce surface tension) and was placed at the base of each trap. The collected insects were brought to the laboratory and preserved in 70% ethanol. Ceratopogonids were first separated from all other insects. Culicoides sp. was identified initially based on the wing pattern and confirmed subsequently by mounting parts of the specimen in drop of Canada-balsam on microscope slides after clearing in liquefied phenol solution. A total of 3904 Culicoides midges were collected during the study period. The population of Culicoides spp. in rainy season was estimated to be 3092 (79.12%), winter season 521 (13.31%) and summer season 291(7.44%). The highest number of Culicoides sp. was found in rainy season whereas low number in summer.