OAHN Network Project: Identification of Culicoides species found in selected areas of Ontario from June – September 2022 (in progress)

Project Lead: Dr. Katie Clow

Collaborators:  Valentina Rodriguez

Culicoides are known vectors of a number of livestock diseases, including: Bluetongue virus, Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease virus, and African Horse Sickness virus. While several Culicoides species are native to Ontario, there are few studies investigating their numbers and distribution. In addition, climate change, and other alterations to their habitat and food sources may have introduced new species or impacted the distribution and abundance of existing ones. In order to assess disease risk and develop disease prevention plans investigation of current Culicoides populations is necessary.