According to a study carried out by researchers from the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), the mosquito that transmits the bluetongue virus or African horse sickness feeds mainly on cattle, but also bites humans in isolation .
The study, which has been published in the journal Medical and Veterinary Entomology, has determined which are the hosts that nourish this insect known as Culicoides imicola .
Stings humans in isolation
As explained by the scientist from the Doñana Biological Station, Josué Martínez de la Puente :
The research finding is relevant from the point of view of animal health and public health due to the discomfort caused by these insects with their bites, but also due to the pathogens they can transmit.
The researchers drew their blood and obtained the DNA of this mosquito and in this way it was discovered that the food of the female mosquito comes mainly from mammalian animals .
This pattern is consistent with that found in other countries where the midge ‘Culicoides imicola’ feeds on different species of mammals and, on rare occasions, on birds.