Review on dynamics of Culicoides spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) and its nuisance on body movements and milk yield in cows

Abstract

Haematophagous insects involving different species of dipteran flieseg. Culicoides midges or Simulium flies or Phlebotomus flies or mosquitoes, causes three way trouble to livestock i.e., a) annoyance and worries and blood loss from direct biting and feeding, b) disease transmission, c) losses incurred on their control. In the livestock shed, amongst the four nematocerous flies biting throughout night and producing other ill effects Culicoides midges stands first. Their population is greatly higher in number than population of any other haematophagus fly species in the shed. Culicoides spp have great influence on livestock health due to their tiny nature and enormous number in the shed biting throughout night leading to psychological disturbances and compels them to make enumerable body movements for ward-off these midges. As per the Law of Physics, for undertaking any body movement huge energy is spent, resulting in reduction of milk yield which has been estimated to the extent of 18.97 percent. Being very dynamic misges the economic losses from Culicoides are of great magnitude and thus needs attention of policy makers and entomologists.