Trypanosomatids in Bloodsucking Diptera Insects (Ceratopogonidae and Simuliidae) Wild-Caught at Raptor Bird Nests in Temperate Forests

Trypanosomatids are a huge group of vertebrate, invertebrate and plant parasites that can cause severe illnesses in hosts. Although avian trypanosomes widely spread throughout the world, information about their transmission vector–host relationships is still scarce. This study aimed to investigate Trypanosoma prevalence bloodsucking Diptera collected at tree-nesting raptor birds’ nests. Insects were temperate forests Eastern-Central Europe, Lithuania, using UV light traps hung near common buzzard (Buteo buteo) lesser spotted eagle (Clanga pomarina) nests 15 m height above ground. A total 1248 Culicoides (Ceratopogonidae) females 3 blackflies (Simuliidae) tested for presence trypanosomatids PCR-based methods. The blood 85 nestlings, belonging three different species buteo, Clanga pomarina Haliaeetus albicilla) was same We found 11.1% investigated insects (one Simulium female biting midges five species) infected with (Trypanosoma sp., T. bennetti group, avium) monoxenous (Crithidia Obscuromonas sp.). Only one nestling be avium. phylogenetic detected determined. Our findings supplement on ornithophilic behavior females, potential vector Trypanosoma, produce some new detection sp. sp.) Culicoides.