Biologie et écologie des culicoïdes (Diptera), vecteurs de la fièvre catarrhale ovine

The ovine catarrhal fever (FCO) caused considerable economic losses on the Belgian sheep and cattle livestock during the year 2007. The biological vectors of the bluetongue virus (BTV) are diptera belonging to the genus Culicoides. Their survival, their activity and their distribution depend on many variables still relatively unknown. The setting up of an effective control strategy against these biting midges requires a better knowledge of their biology and their ecology, as well as adult status as larval one. This control strategy against Culicoides biting midges can be combined with some hygienic measures in farming, reinforcing the vaccination programme of Belgian cattle against FCO serotype 8.