Advancing knowledge on Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), vectors of medical, and veterinary importance.

Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) remain some of the most understudied vector species, despite their important role in the global transmission of viral and parasitic disease agents of animals and humans. Over the last decade, advances in molecular taxonomy combined with outbreaks of pathogens like bluetongue virus (BTV), epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV), and Oropouche virus have driven a burst of new research activity on this genus. In this Special Collection, we highlight some of the exciting work being done on Culicoides in the United States and Europe. Topics in the collection span from diversity surveys on understudied species and regions to behavior and physiology to vector competence. Two timely review articles (on EHDV in the United States and BTV in Europe) are also included. We hope this Special Collection will spur new interest in Culicoides as we continue to advance our knowledge of these important vectors.