Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Where do biting midges land on horses causing sweet itch in Israel
By Braverman, Y·Published in Equine veterinary journal·1988·Kimron Veterinary Institute·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Preferred landing sites of Culicoides species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) on a horse in Israel and its relevance to summer seasonal recurrent dermatitis (sweet itch).
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A horse in Israel was observed to have a problem with sweet itch, a skin condition caused by insect bites, particularly from certain types of midges. Researchers found that these midges preferred to land on the horse's belly and back, especially during the evening hours. The study indicated that one specific midge species, Culicoides imicola, was likely the main culprit behind the horse's itching and discomfort. Understanding where these insects land can help horse owners take preventive measures to protect their animals from this irritating condition.
People also search for: horse sweet itch treatment · why is my horse itching · Culicoides midges horse bites · summer dermatitis in horses
Abstract
Six hundred and twenty culicoides of five species were collected from a bait horse at Kannot, Israel, between April and September 1986. Seventy-two per cent of the midges were collected from the belly and 27 per cent from the dorsal aspect of the body, ie, the sweet itch summer seasonal recurrent dermatitis (SSRD) zone. Midges were active mainly from half an hour prior to half an hour after sunset. Only Culicoides puncticollis, C imicola and C schultzei group were collected in considerable numbers. While C imicola was present continuously throughout the season, the appearance of the two other species was intermittent. Ninety-five per cent of C schultzei group and approximately 100 per cent of the C puncticollis prefer to land on and most probably bite the belly. Culicoides imicola showed a clear preference for the dorsal ridge which overlaps the (SSRD) itch zone, and 70 per cent of the midges were collected there, while 28 per cent were collected from the belly. A considerably high proportion of the midges of this species were parous, ie, part of the population lived long enough to bite more than once. Skin temperature measurements showed the belly to be the warmest part of the body. Wind speeds of two to three knots reduced the number of midges collected. The findings of this study, together with a previous one (Braverman et al 1983), incriminate C imicola as the likely principal agent of SSRD in Israel.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3215168/