MONITORING OF CULICOIDES LATREILLE (DIPTERA: CERATOPOGONIDAE) AFTER BTV OUTBREAKS, IN SHEEP FARMS AND NATURAL HABITATS FROM THE BASQUE COUNTRY (NORTHERN SPAIN).

The article focuses on a study on the diversity and abundance of Culicoides (C.) Latreille in northern Spain in response to the outbreaks of bluetongue virus (BTV) among livestock in 2007. The study has been conducted in eleven sheep farms of the Basque Country region and seven natural habitats. The collection and sampling methods used are detailed. Findings indicate that the C. obsoletus and C. pulicaris complex posted greater occurrence and abundance in sheep farms than in natural habitats.