Bionomics and life cycle studies on Culicoides sp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)*

Studies on bionomics and life cycle of Culicoides schultzei and C. peregrinus species were carried out. Preferential breeding sites revealed that high concentration of larvae was observed in the wet soil, least contaminated with dung and urine, along the edges of sluggish drains around the cattle sheds. Moderate water content (around 50%), low pH (7.5), low organic matter content (2.64%) and soluble salts (electric conductivity of 1.18 mmhos/cm3) were found favourable for breeding of Culicoides sp. The time taken for development from egg to emergence of adult was 15.17 and 19.83 days, respectively for C. peregrinus and C. schultzei.