Midge Forecast Podcast Episode 12
The final Scottish Midge Forecast Podcast for this season, including what we can expect in terms of midge activity for some of the key outdoor events happening over the weekend of 5th - 7th September 2008.
Midge Species Capable of Carrying Virus
The Press & Journal recently (4/9/08) published an article on Scotland’s current midge mapping project, funded by the Scottish Government. Within this 2 year project, APS is carrying out grid-based midge trapping across Scotland on farm sites. We are particularly interested in the Culicoides obsoletus group of midges (female C. obsoletus pictured opposite) and its potential role as a vector of bluetongue virus. This article highlights the pioneering molecular analysis carried out with this group of midges to provide a further level of species identification.
“FOUR of the midge species in Scotland that could potentially carry the deadly bluetongue virus can now be identified for the first time.
The discovery by scientists from Aberdeen University is seen as important as it gives statisticians working for the Scottish Government the information they now require to gauge the speed at which the virus might spread if it reaches Scotland.
Further research work at the Institute of Animal Health at Pirbright in Surrey is ongoing to find out if the four species of the Culicoides obsoletus midge family – chiopterus, dewulfi, obsoletus ss and scoticus – that have been found north of the border are capable of carrying a virus that over the last two years has devastated livestock production across mainland Europe and left farmers nursing millions of pounds of losses.
In southern Europe a different midge family – Culicoides imicola – is responsible for transmitting the various strains of the virus that originates in Africa.
But the worsening virus situation in northern Europe has shown that other midge families now also carry it.
Scotland’s Culicoides obsoletus family has already been implicated as a carrier and the work at Pirbright is attempting to find out if its member species can transmit bluetongue. The Aberdeen researchers identified the possible bluetongue carriers among 1million midges that were captured in 37 light traps set up on farms from the Borders to Thurso by Edinburgh-based Advanced Pest Solutions at the end of last year and early 2008.
The midge work has been funded by the Scottish Government.”
For the full article, follow this link
BBC Scotland, The Real Blend: Midges!
BBC Radio Scotland’s “The Real Blend” recently interviewed Dr Alison Blackwell of Advanced Pest Solutions, producer of the Scottish Midge Forecast. Listen to the interview with Robbie Shepherd below or download here.
Midge Study Presented at Nuffield Celebration Event 2008
Thomas Moens is a student from Portobello High School who has been working with APS all summer, investigating novel trapping methods for biting midges. Thomas recently presented his data at a celebration event held by the Nuffield Foundation, who had funded his bursary. This was held at the Royal College of Physicians in Edinburgh, 29th August 2008. The project concentrated on how to target traps at the group of midges thought to be the most likely vectors of bluetongue virus, were it to get into Scotland. The work involved a field trial on a local farm site, together with both morphological and molecular analysis of midge catches.
EcoGuard Midge Repellent Field Trial - an update
APS is currently busy on the banks of Loch Laggan carrying out field trials of the new EcoGuard Midge Repellent; the active ingredient is Saltidin®, the sponsors of the Scottish Midge Forecast.
Saltidin® is designed to be an effective biting insect repellent, which is gentle on the skin and without the downsides of some other repellents such as being harmful to plastics etc. It is non-toxic, long-lasting, not sticky and is suitable for use on children over the age of two.
Following encouraging laboratory studies of EcoGuard with biting midges, the current field trials involve ‘volunteers’ exposing their repellent-treated forearms at regular time periods throughout the evening with the aim of determining both the efficacy and longevity of the product. Counts are made of the numbers of midges both landing on- and attempting to feed on the volunteer’s arm.
The image below clearly shows the level of protection provided by the product!
Photographs © Alan Smith, 2008
Midge Forecast Podcast Episode 11
The Scottish Midge Forecast for the weekend of 8th - 10th August 2008, including what we can expect for some of the key outdoor events happening in Scotland.
Nuffield Science Bursary contributes to Midge Study
APS is currently sponsoring a student through the Nuffield Science Bursary Scheme, which allows post-16 science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) students across the UK to get an insight into the world of scientific research and development during their summer holidays. APS’s sponsored student has been investigating trapping techniques for potential midge vectors of bluetongue virus, which is a highly topical subject at present. The project has combined field studies with the molecular analysis of midge catches.
Bugshirt performance
APS has recently been testing out the “Original Bugshirt” at a field sites along the banks of Loch Laggan. The Original Bug Shirt is made from extremely densely woven fabric, not normally used in clothing but at the same time is very light to wear and most importantly, provided excellent protection against even the worst midge attacks in Scotland. Further information can be found here.
Midge Forecast Podcast Episode 10
The Scottish Midge Forecast for the weekend of 1st - 3rd August 2008, including what we can expect for some of the key outdoor events happening in Scotland.
Official testing of EcoGuard Midge Repellent
Ecoguard Midge Repellent, containing the active ingredient Saltidin and formulated especially for biting midges is currently the subject of rigorous field tests, carried out by Advanced Pest Solutions Ltd. The trials are being carried out at a field site alongside Loch Laggan, where record midge populations are often recorded. The trials follow on from a number of encouraging reports from volunteers across Scotland who have tested the product. For example, one person reported “I worked in the vegetable garden this afternoon for 2hrs - usually a miserable and itchy chore, and apart from my feet, which I forgot to spray, I have no bites!! So far I’m pretty impressed,and you can quote me on that!”
EcoGuard Midge Repellent can be purchased by following this link.
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- Midge Forecast Podcast Episode 12
- Midge Species Capable of Carrying Virus
- BBC Scotland, The Real Blend: Midges!
- Midge Study Presented at Nuffield Celebration Event 2008
- EcoGuard Midge Repellent Field Trial - an update
- Midge Forecast Podcast Episode 11
- Nuffield Science Bursary contributes to Midge Study
- Bugshirt performance
- Midge Forecast Podcast Episode 10
- Official testing of EcoGuard Midge Repellent
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Interesting sites
- Advanced Pest Solutions - Creator of the Midge Forecast
- Mercatos - buy Saltidin-containing Midge Repellent - Mercatos repellent systems
- Midge Forecast - The Midge Forecast website
- Midgeater - Midgeater midge traps
- Rudsambee Company of Singers - Composers of “The Midges Descending” as featured in the podcasts (written by Sheena Phillips)
- Saltidin - The Midge Forecast sponsor for 2008
