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

Vesicular stomatitis virus serotype New Jersey (VSNJV) was mixed with bovin e blood or fetal bovine serum (FBS) and fed across silicone membranes to la boratory 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 20.0 degrees C and assayed for VSNJV immed iately after feeding and at 1, 3,7, 10 and 13 d after feeding. Virus was de tected after 13 d in 3% of the midges that received a bovine blood/VSNJV mi xture and in 9% of the midges that received an FBS/VSNJV mixture. The resul ts indicate that C. sonorensis should be considered as a potential biologic al vector of VSNJV.