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Title: Effects of Melezitose and Stachyose on Adult Longevity and Virus Persistence in Culicoides Sonorensis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

Author
item Reeves, Will
item JONES, GUINEVERE - UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING

Submitted to: Western North American Naturalist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/24/2009
Publication Date: 4/21/2010
Citation: Reeves, W.K., Jones, G.Z. 2010. Effects of Melezitose and Stachyose on Adult Longevity and Virus Persistence in Culicoides Sonorensis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). Western North American Naturalist. Vol. 70: 114-116.

Interpretive Summary: Many species of blood feeding flies feed on sugar sources that derive from insects such as homopteran honeydew. The significance of these sugar sources to insect survival and disease transmission are poorly known. Biting midges can survive on plant sugars but might feed on homopteran honeydew in the wild. The survival of biting midges fed on 10% honeydew was compared to those fed 10% sucrose. A significantly greater number of biting midges survived longer when fed omne component of honeydew than those fed either are rarer component or sucrose. The effect of sugar meals on vector competence was measured using bluetongue and epizootic hemorrhagic disease viruses. There was no significant difference in viral susceptibility. However, if a biting midge feeds on homopteran honeydew in the wild a larger number of midges could survive to transmit these viruses.

Technical Abstract: A wide variety of blood feeding Diptera feed on extrafloral sugar sources such as homopteran honeydew. he significance of these sugar sources to insect survival and disease transmission are poorly known. Culicoides sonorensis can survive on plant sugars but might feed on homopteran honeydew. The survival of C. sonorensis fed on 10% melezitose and stachyose was compared to those fed 10% sucrose. A significantly greater number of C. sonorensis survived longer when fed melezitose than those fed either stachyose or sucrose. The effect of sugar meals on vector competence was measured using bluetongue and epizootic hemorrhagic disease viruses. here was no significant difference in viral susceptibility. However, if C. sonorensis feeds on homopteran honeydew in the wild a larger number of midges could survive to transmit orbiviruses.