Chemical characteristics of breeding sites of Culicoides species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae).

We determined chemical characteristics of the breeding sites of Culicoides species in Turkey. Soil samples containing pupae and larvae of Culicoides species were collected between January and December 2004 and fly emergence was recorded in the laboratory. Percent organic matter, pH, electrical conductivity and mineral constituents of habitat samples were quantified to determine habitat preferences of the emerging species. A total of 1623 mature Culicoides flies comprising 10 species emerged from soil samples collected from 8 different habitat types. A total of 856 (53%) flies were recovered from habitats containing mud rich in dung near water reservoirs, 288 (18%) from mud in reed sites, 279 (17%) from mud in swamps, 78 (5%) from mud along side the streams, 39 (2.4%) from mud around dams, 38 (2.3%) from mud near dripping water, 30 (2%) from mud in rain puddles and 15 (1.0%) from moist soil. While C. nubeculosus (Meigen) and C. puncticollis (Becker) were encountered more in mud rich in dung near water reservoirs and mud in swamps; C. gejgelensis Dzhafarov and C. festivipennis Kieffer were more common in mud alongside streams. C. circumscriptus Kieffer was encountered in most habitats and no Culicoides flies emerged from livestock dung samples and tree holes. The number of C. festivipennis Kieffer was significantly correlated with organic matter, P, K and Zn while the number of C. nubeculosus (Meigen) was significantly correlated with pH, P and K.