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2002
LSU-HHMI Summer Undergraduate Research Program |
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 Matthew
G. Brieden (UTPA), (Elmer K. Godeny, Dept. of Pathobiological
Sciences, LSU School of Veterinary Medicine) Identification
of Culicoides in the LSU deer herd and their ability to harbor
epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV)
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) is transmitted to
white-tailed deer by biting midge flies of the genus Culicoides.
The purpose of this study was to determine which species of
Culicoides is present around the LSU white-tailed deer herd
and if any of these species harbor EHDV.
Four New Jersey black light insect traps were set up around
the LSU deer herd at Idlewild Research Station in Clinton, LA.
Insects were collected twice weekly and the Culicoides species
were identified, differentiated and separated. Over 4500 Culicoides
were trapped. The vast majority of the flies fell into one of
least two species: C. biguttatus and C. arboricola. Small numbers
of other species of Culicoides were found but have not yet been
speciated. Flies were aliquotted into groups of ten, homogenized
and assayed for the presence of EHDV using a standard virus
growth assay. As of yet, EHDV has not been found in any of the
fly samples.
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