Arthropod supplies

Many of the viruses we study at The Pirbright Institute are spread between livestock, humans and wildlife by insects or ticks. Our Entomology Group manages and maintains insect colonies in our insectary and provides scientific expertise to help us understand the transmission and ecology of the viruses that they spread.

Under National Capability we are able to offer access to these vectors and scientific expertise. The products available include:

• Culicoides sonorensis, a biting midge species used to investigate arbovirus infection and dissemination. This vector is competent for a wide range of arboviruses including bluetongue, African horse sickness and Schmallenberg.

• Culicoides nubeculosus, a UK species used for insecticide and repellent testing, studies of mating and host location, molecular assay standardisation and for immunological investigations in horses.

• Stomoxys calcitrans, large flies, commonly known as stable flies. Stables flies can mechanically transmit internationally important diseases of livestock and are a significant biting nuisance to livestock, horses and humans.

Culicoides nubeculosus

Culicoides sonorensis

Stomoxys calcitrans