Development of a Multiplex Real-Time PCR to Disambiguate within Complex, the Proven Vector of Bluetongue and Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Viruses in North America.

Species delimitation of complex species can be challenging. Among species within the complex, is considered the primary vector of bluetongue virus (BTV) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) in North America. Morphological identification of within the .

Abundance and diversity of Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in southern Ontario, Canada.

Background: Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) is a genus of hematophagous midges feeding on various vertebrate hosts and serving as a vector for numerous pathogens important to livestock and wildlife health. North American pathogens include bluetongue (BT) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) viruses. Little is known about Culicoides spp.

Vector communities under global change may exacerbate and redistribute infectious disease risk.

Vector-borne parasites may be transmitted by multiple vector species, resulting in an increased risk of transmission, potentially at larger spatial scales compared to any single vector species. Additionally, the different abilities of patchily distributed vector species to acquire and transmit parasites will lead to varying degrees of transmission risk. Investigation of how vector community composition and parasite transmission change over space due to variation in environmental conditions may help to explain current patterns in diseases but also informs our understanding of how patterns will change under climate and land-use change.

The wild life of ticks: Using passive surveillance to determine the distribution and wildlife host range of ticks and the exotic Haemaphysalis longicornis, 2010-2021.

Background: We conducted a large-scale, passive regional survey of ticks associated with wildlife of the eastern United States. Our primary goals were to better assess the current geographical distribution of exotic Haemaphysalis longicornis and to identify potential wild mammalian and avian host species. However, this large-scale survey also provided valuable information regarding the distribution and host associations for many other important tick species that utilize wildlife as hosts.

Surveys for ticks on wildlife hosts and in the environment at Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis)-positive sites in Virginia and New Jersey, 2018.

Haemaphysalis longicornis, the Asian longhorned tick (ALT), is native to eastern Asia, but it has become invasive in several countries, including Australia, New Zealand and recently in the eastern United States (US). To identify wild mammal and avian host species in the US, we conducted active wildlife surveillance in two states with known ALT infestations (Virginia and New Jersey). In addition, we conducted environmental surveys in both states.

Molecular Characterization of Species and a Molecular Genetic Key for the Identification of of North America.

(Acari: Ixodidae), the Asian longhorned tick, is native to East Asia, but has become established in Australia and New Zealand, and more recently in the United States. In North America, there are other native species that share similar morphological characteristics and can be difficult to identify if the specimen is damaged. The goal of this study was to develop a cost-effective and rapid molecular diagnostic assay to differentiate between exotic and native species to aid in ongoing surveillance of within the United States and help prevent misidentification.

Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease in White-Tailed Deer, Canada.

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease affects wild and domestic ruminants and has recently spread northward within the United States. In September 2017, we detected epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus in wild white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus, in east-central Canada. Culicoides spp.

Apparent Range Expansion of Culicoides (Hoffmania) insignis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in the Southeastern United States.

Haematophagous biting midges of the genus Culicoides are pests of humans, livestock, and wildlife, and some also serve as vectors of bluetongue virus (BTV) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) worldwide. In North America, there are only two Culicoides spp. proven to transmit BTV and/or EHDV-Culicoides (Hoffmania) insignis Lutz (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) and Culicoides (Monoculicoides) sonorensis Wirth and Jones (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae).

Amblyomma auricularium (Ixodida: Ixodidae) in Florida: New Hosts and Distribution Records.

Previous published evidence for the occurrence of an exotic armadillo tick, Amblyomma auricularium (Conil), in Florida is scant, but we found it is fully established and integrated into the state's tick fauna. We collected 11,192 specimens of this tick from naturalized nine-banded armadillos, Dasypus novemcinctus L., and 14 other species of wild native mammals and birds in Florida, while sampling statewide during 2004 through 2007.