Species determination of Culicoides biting midges via peptide profiling using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry
Abstract Background Culicoides biting midges are vectors of bluetongue and Schmallenberg viruses that inflict large-scale disease epidemics in ruminant livestock in Europe.Methods based on morphological characteristics and sequencing of genetic markers are most commonly employed to differentiate Culicoides to species level.Proteomic methods, howeve