Studies on the Culicoides species of Nigeria. II. Species collected around wild animals at Ibadan

Between January and December, 1974, Culicoides species were collected with a mercury vapour light trap at three sites where wild animals were kept at the University of Ibadan. A total of 33 species were identified. Females of all the species and males of nine species were collected. Culicoides imicola was the most predominant female species, constituting 36.9% of the total catch. Other common species were C. quinquelineatus, C. milnei, C. endelini, C. neavi and C. similis. About 40% of the total catch was fed and most of the members of the milnei group contained a greater number of fed than unfed. The periods when peak numbers were obtained were recognized during the catches. These were the “early rains” peak in April and a higher “late rains” peak in October. Wind force and rainfall appeared to be the important factors influencing the population of Culicoides. The probability that the epizootiology of the bluetongue in Nigeria is affected by the Culicoides—wild life cycle was discussed.