Abundance and host-seeking activity of the biting midge, Forcipomyia taiwana (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

Abstract

Abstract The abundance and host-seeking activity of the biting midge, Forcipomyia taiwana (Shiraki), were measured in Central Taiwan at 418 locations with low, medium, and high densities using a human-bait method. Abundance estimates at 10 min after sampling commenced were comparable to longer sampling periods of 20 min, allowing a shorter 10 min sampling period to be used throughout. Host-seeking F. taiwana females were only active during daylight and biting activity did not occur after sunset. The diurnal activity of host-seeking females changed seasonally, beginning at around 07:00–08:00 during the spring equinox, summer solstice, and autumnal equinox, whereas activity began an hour later in winter. Most females were collected during 10:00–16:00, with a peak abundance during 13:00–15:00. Blood-sucking activity of female F. taiwana were positively correlated with ambient temperature with a minimum threshold of 18 °C. When different years, seasons, trapping times, environmental factors, and female adults trapped were analyzed using multiple regression model, the results showed that all these factors contributed to the regression model and the determination coefficient (R2) of this multiple regression model was 0.81.