Observations on breeding sites and light-trap collections of <i>Culicoides</i> during an outbreak of bluetongue in Cyprus

Abstract

Abstract During an epizootic of bluetongue virus disease of sheep in Cyprus in the autumn of 1977, 16 species of Culicoides were collected in light-traps and 4 species were collected from breeding sites. Two of the species found breeding in close association with sheep and goats are potential vectors of bluetongue virus. The possibility of a third species being a vector in Cyprus is discussed.