IDENTIFICATION OF BLOODMEALS OF THE SCOTTISH BITING MIDGE, CULICOIDESIMPUNCTATUS, BY INDIRECT ENZYME-LINKED-IMMUNOSORBENT-ASSAY (ELISA)

An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been develop ed to identify the bloodmeal sources of Culicoides impunctatus Goetghe buer. Nightly light trapping in Scotland, between April and September 1992, caught a total of 344 blood-engorged female C. impunctatus, all in May, June and July. The insects were stored in 70% ethanol and test ed 5-7 months later. Bloodmeal sources were positively identified for 246 (71.5%). Bovine hosts were most common (38.4%), followed by deer ( 23.0%) and sheep (9.9%). Only one midge had fed on human blood. Relati vely freshly fed (< 24h), fully engorged females gave the dearest resu lts. The wider applications of the technique to the study of Culicoide s host preferences is discussed.