Grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae) could serve as reservoirs and vectors of vesicular stomatitis virus.

Vesicular stomatitis (VS) is an economically devastating disease of livestock in the Americas. Despite strong circumstantial evidence for the role of arthropods in epizootics, no hematophagous vector explains the field evidence. Based on the spatiotemporal association of grasshopper outbreaks and VS epizootics, we investigated the potential role of these insects as vectors and reservoirs of the disease.

Isolation and characterization of a cDNA clone coding for a glutathione S-transferase class delta enzyme from the biting midge Culicoides variipennis sonorensis Wirth and Jones.

Culicoides variipennis sonorensis is the primary vector of bluetongue viruses in North America. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are enzymes that catalyze nucleophilic substitutions, converting reactive lipophilic molecules into soluble conjugates. Increased GST activity is associated with development of insecticide resistance.

Cryopreservation of embryos of Culicoides sonorensis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae).

The successful long-term storage of insects that are used for research purposes can eliminate the need for ongoing colony maintenance on a large scale. In addition, rare and valuable genotypes of insects can be preserved. This study was conducted to determine whether cryopreservation is a suitable means of storing embryos of Culicoides sonorensis Wirth & Jones, an important vector of animal pathogens.

Identification and characterization of a cDNA clone encoding the heat shock protein (Hsp60) from the biting midge, Culicoides variipennis sonorensis Wirth and Jones.

A cDNA expression library constructed from Culicoides variipennis sonorensis was screened using an antibody specific for Hsp60 of Heliothis virescens. A single clone encoding the complete heat shock protein (Hsp60) of C. variipennis was identified and its 2400-bp insert was sequenced.

Oral infection of Culicoides sonorensis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) by vesicular stomatitis virus.

Vesicular stomatitis virus serotype New Jersey (VSNJV) was mixed with bovine blood or fetal bovine serum (FBS) and fed across silicone membranes to laboratory populations of Culicoides sonorensis Wirth & Jones. In an initial study, virus was detected after 13 d in 21% of the midges that received an FBS/VSNJV mixture. In subsequent time-course experiments, engorged females were collected and maintained at 20.