Why in News?
Recently, researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have identified 23 species of blood-sucking flies in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
- Culicoides – They are tiny insects similar in appearance to flies.
- They are more closely related to mosquitoes in their feeding habits.
- They are called Midges and are locally called Bhusi Files in Andaman and Nicobar.
- Taxonomy
- Scientific name – Culicoides.
- Order – Diptera, the smallest haematophagous member.
Haematophagous means especially an insect or tick feeding on blood.
- Distribution – Africa, North and South America and Europe.
- India – Includes 93 valid species, recognized as potential vectors of important pathogens of animal health.
- 13 new species recorded for the 1st time in India, in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- Feeds on – The blood of livestock such as sheep, goats, cattle and wild animals like deer.
- Transmitting agents – 5 of the species are known to transmit the Bluetongue (BT) disease.
A study conducted in 2022 and 2023, revealed that 17 of the 23 species identified are known to bite humans, although no human disease transmission has been reported.
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Bluetongue (BT)
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- It is an infectious, non-contagious, vector-borne viral disease.
- Symptoms – Blue discolouration of the tongue, fever, facial swelling and excessive salivation.
- Causes – It can potentially lead to death in affected animals.
- It poses a significant threat to livestock farming and the agricultural economy.
- It also impacts humans.
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Reference
The Hindu| 23 species recorded in Andaman & Nicobar Islands
