Identification of bloodmeals of the Scottish biting midge, Culicoides impunctatus, by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been developed to identify the bloodmeal sources of Culicoides impunctatus Goetghebuer. 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 tested 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. Relatively freshly fed (< 24 h), fully engorged females gave the clearest results. The wider applications of the technique to the study of Culicoides host preferences is discussed.