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 Reel Blend: Midges!
BBC Radio Scotland’s “The Reel 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.
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.
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.
Higland midge ‘not moving south’
Following the previous day’s midge reports that midges were ‘moving south’ from Scotland, the BBC published the following interview with Dr Alison Blackwell, Founder of Advanced Pest Solutions Ltd who run the Scottish Midge Forecast
Scottish Midges move South of Border
Recent press articles are suggesting that Highland midges are moving south for the summer, including this article from the Press and Journal……
“IT MIGHT sound like an April Fool’s Day joke, but Scottish midges are emigrating and swarming into England. In a miniature version of the Highland clearances, the ferocious insects are apparently now biting their way through Devon and Dorset.Some, which might have been blown off course, are wreaking havoc in Donegal, Ireland.Global warming, climate change or altered weather patterns may be responsible for the midge exodus.Another theory is that the current comparative warmth and dampness south of the border may well be providing the midges with happier hunting grounds.”
The most probably explanation for these observations is that the warmer, damper weather of late is encouraging the survival of many ‘lowland’ species of midge south of the border and it is these species which are causing concern, as far south as Devon.
For the full P&J article click here and for information on APS’s midge management programmes visit www.advancedpestsolutions.co.uk
Midge Solutions: Livestock Protection
Advanced Pest Solutions Ltd. (APS) is using its experience with managing midges in some of Scotland’s top tourist locations to the protection of livestock. Midge-transmitted diseases have come to light of late with the introduction of bluetongue virus into southern England in the autumn of 2007. In collaboration with Calor Gas and Innovent (Scotland), APS is implementing innovative solutions to reduce the threat of midge (and other biting insect) attack to valuable animals. The Midgeater trap is ideally suited to reducing midge populations, in addition to monitoring midge activity, whilst Innovent’s ‘Barrfly Midge Barrier’ provides significant immediate protection from blood-seeking midges. These technologies, together with APS’s established experience of biting midge biology have significant potential in the farming and equine industry from current and future threats of insect-transmitted diseases. The Midge Solutions partnership is currently trialing their approach with key UK clients.
The photograph shows a Calor-powered Midg-it trap, which is being used to assess the midge population on either side of the Barrfly Midge Barrier suspended across the shed doorway.
For further information on APS’s Midge Solutions, contact enquiries@advancedpestsolutions.co.uk
Giant Midge helps out at Tech Expo
Advanced Pest Solutions Ltd. was recently given a helping hand at the Edinburgh University Pre-Incubation Scheme (EPIS) ‘Tech Expo’. Some of the country’s brightest young technology-based ventures were put in the spotlight at the event, held in Edinburgh, July 10 2008. For more information on the company’s midge-management activities, contact enquiries@advancedpestsolutions.co.uk
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The Scottish Midge Forecast Blog.
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Recently Written
- Midge Forecast Podcast Episode 12
- Midge Species Capable of Carrying Virus
- BBC Scotland, The Reel 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
