Description

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Context:

Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have identified 23 species of blood-sucking flies, 13 of them recorded for the first time in the country, in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

About Midges:

Aspect	Details
Genus	*Culicoides*
Local Name	Sady Bhusi
Appearance	Tiny insects similar to flies, closely related to mosquitoes in feeding habits
Food Habits	Feed on the blood of farm animals (sheep, goats, cattle) and wild animals (deer)
Significance	Five species carry the Bluetongue virus, potentially fatal to livestock
Bluetongue Symptoms	Bluetongue, fever, facial swelling, excessive salivation
Potential Outcome	Death of affected animals, a significant threat to livestock and the agricultural economy
Human Bites	17 of the 23 identified species bite humans, but no transmission of the disease to humans was recorded.
New Species Recorded (2022-2023)	C. barnetti, C. gouldi, C. flaviscutellaris, C. flavipunctatus, C. hui, C. histrio, C. guttifer, C. perornatus, C. okinawensis, C. quatei, C. obscurus, C. coronalis, C. kusaiensis
Total Indian Species	93 valid species
Animal Health Importance	Many species are confirmed or potential vectors of important animal health pathogens.

Bluetongue (BT)

It is an infectious, non-contagious viral disease transmitted by vectors.

Symptoms: Blue discoloration of the tongue, fever, swelling of the face, and excessive salivation.

Causes: Potentially fatal in affected animals.

It represents a significant threat to livestock breeding and the agricultural economy. It affects people too.

About Culicoides

It is a large genus of the family Ceratopogonidae with a cosmopolitan distribution except for New Zealand and Antarctica, it includes species that are among the smallest hematophagous representatives of the order Diptera.
Midges of this family are gaining significant attention due to their role as vectors for nearly 60 viruses, 40 protozoa, and 24 filamentous nematodes that affect not only livestock and wildlife but also humans.

About Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)

The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), a subordinate organization of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, was established in 1916.

It is a national center for faunal research and resource exploration leading to the development of knowledge about the country's exceptionally rich faunal diversity.

It has its headquarters in Kolkata and 16 regional stations located in different geographical locations of the country.

Source:

The Hindu

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements regarding the Culicoides (Midges):

Culicoides species are closely related to mosquitoes in feeding habits and are known to feed on the blood of farm animals and wild animals.
The Bluetongue virus, transmitted by some Culicoides species, poses a fatal threat to livestock, causing symptoms such as fever, facial swelling, and excessive salivation.
Although Culicoides species bite humans, there has been no recorded transmission of disease to humans.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

A) Only one

B) Only two

C) All three

D) None

Answer: C

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Culicoides species are related to mosquitoes and feed on the blood of farm animals (sheep, goats, cattle) and wild animals (deer).

Statement 2 is correct: Five species of Culicoides carry the Bluetongue virus, which is potentially fatal to livestock and causes symptoms like fever, facial swelling, and excessive salivation.

Statement 3 is correct: While 17 of the 23 identified species bite humans, there has been no recorded transmission of disease to humans.