Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are small hematophagous flies that transmit several pathogens of veterinary importance. Some midge-borne pathogens have significant economic impacts, such as bluetongue virus and vesicular stomatitis virus, necessitating increased understanding of the ecology of the vectors. However, due to the lack of laboratory colonies and challenges associated with their minute size, the ecology, biology, and vector status of many midge species is still poorly understood. Blood meal analysis is a tool for the molecular detection of host DNA in blood meals of field-collected insects. In addition to providing information on the ecological relationships of hematophagous insects with their hosts, blood feeding patterns can also help determine which species may require further investigation as potential vectors. At sites representing agricultural and sylvatic habitats in Kansas, 440 blood-engorged midges were collected for blood meal analysis resulting in 316 host matches. Additionally, blood meals were graded prior to DNA extraction to determine whether size or level of digestion impacted the likelihood of a quality host match. Five species were well represented in collections including C. crepuscularis, C. haematopotus, C. sonorensis, C. stellifer, and C. variipennis. Overall, midge species were found to feed primarily on either avian or mammalian hosts, with limited crossover by all species. The propensity of some species to feed heavily on avian hosts, even when large numbers of mammalian hosts are present, suggests that some species can likely be ruled out as potential vectors of mammalian pathogens.
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