Culicoides

Why in News?

Recently, researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have identified 23 species of blood-sucking flies in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

• Culicoides – They are tiny insects similar in appearance to flies.
• They are more closely related to mosquitoes in their feeding habits.
• They are called Midges and are locally called Bhusi Files in Andaman and Nicobar.
• Taxonomy
  • Scientific name – Culicoides.
  • Order – Diptera, the smallest haematophagous member.

Haematophagous means especially an insect or tick feeding on blood.

• Distribution – Africa, North and South America and Europe.
  • India – Includes 93 valid species, recognized as potential vectors of important pathogens of animal health.
  • 13 new species recorded for the 1^st time in India, in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• Feeds on – The blood of livestock such as sheep, goats, cattle and wild animals like deer.
• Transmitting agents – 5 of the species are known to transmit the Bluetongue (BT) disease.

A study conducted in 2022 and 2023, revealed that 17 of the 23 species identified are known to bite humans, although no human disease transmission has been reported.

Reference

The Hindu| 23 species recorded in Andaman & Nicobar Islands