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BIBTEX RIS

Determination of Physicochemical Factors Affecting the Diversity and Abundance of <i>Culicoides sp.</i> Species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in the Subtropical Region of Brazil

2021; RELX Group (Netherlands); Linguagem: Inglês

10.2139/ssrn.3964458

1556-5068

Gilmar Sidnei Erzinger, Luiz Américo de Sousa, Lineu Fernado del Ciampo, Eder Caglioni, Sebastian Michel Strauch,

Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology

Species of the genus Culicoides, commonly known as midges or 'maruins' in Brazil, are vectors of various viruses and filariae. Large infestations significantly interfere with the economy, health, and development of the affected region. The northern region of Santa Catarina has been suffering from the high density of Culicoides sp. in recent years. Identification and analysis of the environmental conditions of the feeing and breeding grounds for Culicoides sp. larvae might provide a way to control the density of adult insects. The objective of this work was to identify which environmental variables (air temperature, air humidity and pH of the water where the larvae dwell) influence the growth of Culicoides sp. for possible control of them. Field research was carried out for two years (2014 to 2016) using soil traps, collecting larvae from different habitats. The collections were carried out in rural and urban areas, mainly in the region of Vale do Itapocu, and in the area of Joinville, covering the basins of the Rio Piraí and Cubatão river. The number of insects associated with humidity, temperature and pH of the substrates was correlated with the species of Culicoides and theirs density in the surveyed regions. The main species found in the region was Culicoides paraensis in 93% of the samples. The research showed that the temperature and humidity of the studied habitats influence the biological cycle of C. paraensis, but the pH was crucial in the development of the species. Our research showed that a higher incidence of C. paraensis is strongly linked to decomposing banana stumps: pH above 7, as occurring during the rotting of banana stumps favors the development of Culicoides eggs, while pH values below 7 prevent it.