New records of biting and predaceous midges from Florida, including species new to the fauna of the United States (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

We provide new records of biting and predaceous midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from Florida, including the first documented United States records of Atrichopogon (Atrichopogon) caribbeanus Ewen, Dasyhelea griseola Wirth, D. scissurae Macfie, and Brachypogon (Brachypogon) woodruffi Spinelli and Grogan. Atrichopogon (Meloehelea) downesi Wirth, Forcipomyia (Thyridomyia) monilicornis (Coquillett), F. (T.) nodosa Saunders, Ceratoculicoides blantoni Wirth and Ratanaworabhan, Mallochohelea albibasis (Malloch), Bezzia (Bezzia) imbifida Dow and Turner and B. (B.) mallochi Wirth are recorded for the first time from Florida. Forcipomyia (Thyridomyia) johannseni Thomsen, Bezzia (Bezzia) expolita (Coquillett), and B. (B.) pulverea (Coquillett) are deleted from the ceratopogonid fauna of Florida. Dasyhelea koenigi Delécolle and Rieb is a junior objective synonym of Dasyhelea scissurae Macfie (NEW SYNONYM). The total number of Ceratopogonidae recorded from Florida is now 249 species contained within 27 genera

Evaluation of host-derived volatiles for trapping Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopognidae) cause pain and distress through blood feeding, and transmit viruses that threaten both animal and human health worldwide. There are few effective tools for monitoring and control of biting midges, with semiochemical-based strategies offering the advantage of targeting host-seeking populations. In previous studies, we identified the host preference of multiple Culicoides species, including Culicoides impunctatus, as well as cattle-derived compounds that modulate the behavioral responses of C. nubeculosus under laboratory conditions. Here, we test the efficacy of these compounds, when released at different rates, in attracting C. impunctatus under field conditions in Southern Sweden. Traps releasing 1-octen-3-ol, decanal, phenol, 4-methylphenol or 3-propylphenol, when combined with carbon dioxide (CO2), captured significantly higher numbers of C. impunctatus compared to control traps baited with CO2 alone, with low release rates (0.1 mg h−1, 1 mg h−1) being generally more attractive. In contrast, traps releasing octanal or (E)-2-nonenal at 1 mg h−1 and 10 mg h−1 collected significantly lower numbers of C. impunctatus than control traps baited with CO2 only. Nonanal and 2-ethylhexanol did not affect the attraction of C. impunctatus when compared to CO2 alone at any of the release rates tested. The potential use of these semiochemicals as attractants and repellents for biting midge control is discussed

Impact of temperature, feeding preference and vaccination on Schmallenberg virus transmission in Scotland

First identified in 2011, Schmallenberg virus (SBV) is principally transmitted by Culicoides midges and affects ruminants. Clinical presentation is typified by foetal abnormalities, but despite very high infection rates, relatively few animals present with clinical signs. In this paper we further develop a previously published stochastic mathematical model of SBV spread to investigate the optimal deployment of a vaccine for SBV in Scotland, a country that has experienced only sporadic and isolated cases of SBV.We consider the use of the vaccine under different temperatures and explore the effects of a vector preference for feeding on cattle. We demonstrate that vaccine impact is optimised by targeting it at the high risk areas in the south of Scotland, or vaccinating only cattle. At higher than average temperatures, and hence increased transmission potential, the relative impact of vaccination is considerably enhanced. Vaccine impact is also enhanced if vectors feed preferentially on cattle. These findings are of considerable importance when planning control strategies for SBV and also have important implications for management of other arboviruses such as Bluetongue virus. Environmental determinants and feeding preferences should be researched further to inform development of effective control strategies

Froth stabilisation using nanoparticles in mineral flotation

In this study, three kinds of nanoparticles (SiO2, Fe2O3, and Al2O3) were used in the flotation of a sulphide ore to investigate the effects of nanoparticles on the froth stability and the flotation performance. The dynamic froth stability factor and the maximum froth depth were measured by using a non-overflowing flotation cell under various flotation conditions. The results were also related to the separation selectivity and efficiency of the flotation. The experimental results showed that the dynamic froth stability factor and the maximum froth depth can be increased 1.2-2 fold by using the Al2O3 nanoparticles. These increments led to significant improve in the froth recovery. In terms of the froth stability and the flotation performance, the Al2O3 nanomaterial was the best, followed by Fe2O3 and SiO2. In addition, the flotation recovery increased from 83 to 91%, and the grade of the concentrate increased from 44 to 60% by using the Al2O3 nanoparticles

Forcipomyia (Pterobosca) fusicornis

Forcipomyia (Pterobosca) fusicornis (Coquillett) Ceratopogon fusicornis Coquillett, 1905: 63 (Florida). Pterobosca fusicornis: Johannsen 1951: 117 (combination). Forcipomyia (Pterobosca) fusicornis: Wirth 1965: 123 (combination; in Nearctic catalog); Wilkening et al. 1985: 517 (Florida records); Borkent and Grogan 2009: 9 (in Nearctic catalog; distribution). Pterobosca floridana Johannsen, 1950: 143 (Florida). Discussion. Adult females of this southern Nearctic and Caribbean species are ectoparasitic on Odonata. Wilkening et al. (1985) recorded it from eight counties in Florida. We provide the first records from Palm Beach Co., four females that were collected on the dragonfly, Anax junius (Drury).Published as part of William L. Grogan, Jr., Hribar, Lawrence J., Murphree, C. Steven & Cilek, James E., 2010, New records of biting and predaceous midges from Florida, including species new to the fauna of the United States (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), pp. 1-59 in Insecta Mundi 2010 (147) on page 18, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.535290

Stilobezzia (Stilobezzia) viridis

Stilobezzia (Stilobezzia) viridis (Coquillett) Ceratopogon viridis Coquillett, 1901: 607 (New Jersey). Ceratolophus viridis: Kieffer 1906: 61 (combination). Johannseniella viridis: Malloch 1914b: 227 (combination). Hartomyia viridis: Malloch 1915a: 342 (combination). Stilobezzia viridis: Johannsen 1943: 781 (combination). Stilobezzia (Stilobezzia) viridis: Wirth 1953a: 84 (combination; revision of Nearctic Stilobezzia); Wilkening et al. 1985: 526 (Florida records); Borkent and Grogan 2009: 22 (in Nearctic catalog; distribution). Discussion. Wilkening et al. (1985) recorded this moderately common eastern species from seven Florida counties, including Wakulla Co. We provide additional records from this county. New records. Wakulla Co., Wakulla Springs State Park, Lodge Road, 25 May 2004, S. Murphree, CDC light trap with UV wand, 2 males, 1 female (BUTC).Published as part of William L. Grogan, Jr., Hribar, Lawrence J., Murphree, C. Steven & Cilek, James E., 2010, New records of biting and predaceous midges from Florida, including species new to the fauna of the United States (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), pp. 1-59 in Insecta Mundi 2010 (147) on page 42, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.535290

Bezzia (Bezzia) flavitarsis Malloch 1914

Bezzia (Bezzia) flavitarsis Malloch Bezzia flavitarsis Malloch, 1914c: 283 (Illinois). Bezzia (Pseudobezzia) flavitarsis: Wirth 1951: 323; Dow and Turner 1976: 34 (revision of Nearctic Bezzia; distribution). Bezzia (Bezzia) flavitarsis: Wilkening et al. 1985: 529 (Collier Co., Florida record); Borkent and Grogan 2009: 26 (in Nearctic catalog; distribution). Discussion. This species is currently known from Ontario and New Brunswick, Canada and south to California, Montana and Florida (Borkent and Grogan 2009). Wilkening et al. (1985) recorded it only from Collier Co. in Florida. We provide the first records from Alachua, Highlands, Jackson, Leon and Liberty counties. New records. Alachua Co., Gainesville, Chantilly Acres, 3 May-11 June 1967, F. S. Blanton, 7 females, 1 male (USNM); Gainesville, Oak Crest, 15-IV-1985, W. W. Wirth, UVLT, 1 female, same data except 4- IV-1986, 1 female (FSCA). Highlands Co., Sebring, Highlands Hamm. St. Park, 15-IV-1970, W. W. Wirth, light trap, 1 female (USNM). Jackson Co., Fla. Caverns St. Park, 26-V-1973, W. W. Wirth, light trap, 3 females, 6 males; same data except 24 April 1981, 2 females (USNM). Leon Co., Tallahassee, May 1970, F. S. Blanton, LT, 1 female (USNM). Liberty Co., Torreya St. Pk., 20-V-1966, H. V. Weems, 1 female; same data except 22 April 1967, 1 male (USNM).Published as part of William L. Grogan, Jr., Hribar, Lawrence J., Murphree, C. Steven & Cilek, James E., 2010, New records of biting and predaceous midges from Florida, including species new to the fauna of the United States (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), pp. 1-59 in Insecta Mundi 2010 (147) on page 47, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.535290

Atrichopogon (Lophomyidium) archboldi Wirth 1994

Atrichopogon (Lophomyidium) archboldi Wirth Atrichopogon (Lophomyidium) archboldi Wirth, 1994a: 27 (Florida); Borkent and Grogan 2009: 5 (in Nearctic catalog; distribution). Discussion. This is apparently a wide ranging species currently known from Florida, Texas and California, south to Argentina (Borkent and Grogan 2009). In his revision of the Nearctic species in the subgenus Lophomyidium, Wirth (1994a) listed Florida specimens from Alachua, Dade, Highlands, Lee, Orange and Putnam counties.Published as part of William L. Grogan, Jr., Hribar, Lawrence J., Murphree, C. Steven & Cilek, James E., 2010, New records of biting and predaceous midges from Florida, including species new to the fauna of the United States (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), pp. 1-59 in Insecta Mundi 2010 (147) on page 7, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.535290

Stilobezzia (Stilobezzia) beckae Wirth 1953

Stilobezzia (Stilobezzia) beckae Wirth Stilobezzia (Stilobezzia) beckae Wirth, 1953a: 69 (Florida); Wilkening et al. 1985: 526 (Florida records); Borkent and Grogan 2009: 22 (in Nearctic catalog; distribution). Discussion. This moderately common eastern species was listed by Wilkening et al. (1985) from 12 Florida counties including Wakulla Co. We provide an additional record from Wakulla Co. and the first record from Highlands Co. New records. Highlands Co., Lake Placid, Archbold Biological Station, 15-IV-1989, W. W. Wirth, at UV light, 1 female (P) (FSCA). Wakulla Springs State Park, Lodge Road, 25 May 2004, S. Murphree, CDC light trap with UV wand, 1 female (BUTC).Published as part of William L. Grogan, Jr., Hribar, Lawrence J., Murphree, C. Steven & Cilek, James E., 2010, New records of biting and predaceous midges from Florida, including species new to the fauna of the United States (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), pp. 1-59 in Insecta Mundi 2010 (147) on pages 39-40, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.535290