Effect of vertebrate feces on the attraction of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in an Amazonian mangrove

The objective of this study was to characterize theCulicoides community structure found in a mangrove swamp and verify if the use of vertebrate feces as bait interferes with their composition, richness, abundance, or seasonality. CDC light traps with vertebrate (chicken, ox, control, donkey, capuchin monkey and pig) feces baits were used to capture biting midges in a mangrove area of the Island of S ão Luís, MA. A total of 4,087 individuals representing 22 species ofCulicoides were captured, the most abundant beingC. (Oecacta) furens Poey (23.46%),C. (gr. Fluviatilis)leopoldoi Ortiz (21.58%),C. (Hoffmania) ignacioi Forattini (16.98%),C. (Hoffmania) maruim Lutz (13.85%),C. (Diphaomyia) iriartei Fox (10.57%),C. (Hoffmania) insignis Lutz (7.07%), andC. (gr. Limai)limai Barreto (3.03%). Species richness and abundance were higher when baits of capuchin monkey (15 species; 26.84% of the individuals) and pig (15; 25.3%) feces were used. The least attractive baits were donkey (12 species; 9.3%) and ox (nine species; 11.52%) feces. Biting midges were more abundant in the rainy season (67%), but richness was higher in the dry season (19 species). These results show that vertebrate feces may serve as olfactory cues and increase the attraction of biting midges to traps.
Source: Journal of Vector Ecology - Category: Biology Authors: Tags: Original Article Source Type: research