The Role of Hematophagous Arthropods, Other than Mosquitoes and Ticks, in Arbovirus Transmission
Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) significantly impact human, domestic animal, and wildlife health. While most arboviruses are transmitted to vertebrate hosts by blood-feeding mosquitoes and ticks, a growing body of evidence highlights the importance of other hematophagous arthropods in arbovira...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Viruses |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/7/932 |
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| author | Bradley J. Blitvich |
| author_facet | Bradley J. Blitvich |
| author_sort | Bradley J. Blitvich |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) significantly impact human, domestic animal, and wildlife health. While most arboviruses are transmitted to vertebrate hosts by blood-feeding mosquitoes and ticks, a growing body of evidence highlights the importance of other hematophagous arthropods in arboviral transmission. These lesser-known vectors, while often overlooked, can play crucial roles in the maintenance, amplification, and spread of arboviruses. This review summarizes our understanding of hematophagous arthropods, other than mosquitoes and ticks, in arboviral transmission, as well as their associations with non-arboviral viruses. Thirteen arthropod groups are discussed: bat flies, blackflies, cimicids (bat bugs, bed bugs, and bird bugs), <i>Culicoides</i> midges, fleas, hippoboscid flies, lice, mites, muscid flies (including horn flies and stable flies), phlebotomine sandflies, tabanids (including deer flies and horse flies), triatomines, and tsetse flies. Some of these arthropods are regarded as known or likely arboviral vectors, while others have no known role in arbovirus transmission. Particular attention is given to species associated with arboviruses of medical and veterinary significance. As the burden of arboviruses continues to grow, it is critical not to overlook the potential contribution of these lesser-known vectors. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ac1607403c874b5684a8b72c8f40119f |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1999-4915 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Viruses |
| spelling | doaj-art-ac1607403c874b5684a8b72c8f40119f2025-08-20T03:13:59ZengMDPI AGViruses1999-49152025-06-0117793210.3390/v17070932The Role of Hematophagous Arthropods, Other than Mosquitoes and Ticks, in Arbovirus TransmissionBradley J. Blitvich0Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, 2116 Veterinary Medicine, Ames, IA 50011, USAArthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) significantly impact human, domestic animal, and wildlife health. While most arboviruses are transmitted to vertebrate hosts by blood-feeding mosquitoes and ticks, a growing body of evidence highlights the importance of other hematophagous arthropods in arboviral transmission. These lesser-known vectors, while often overlooked, can play crucial roles in the maintenance, amplification, and spread of arboviruses. This review summarizes our understanding of hematophagous arthropods, other than mosquitoes and ticks, in arboviral transmission, as well as their associations with non-arboviral viruses. Thirteen arthropod groups are discussed: bat flies, blackflies, cimicids (bat bugs, bed bugs, and bird bugs), <i>Culicoides</i> midges, fleas, hippoboscid flies, lice, mites, muscid flies (including horn flies and stable flies), phlebotomine sandflies, tabanids (including deer flies and horse flies), triatomines, and tsetse flies. Some of these arthropods are regarded as known or likely arboviral vectors, while others have no known role in arbovirus transmission. Particular attention is given to species associated with arboviruses of medical and veterinary significance. As the burden of arboviruses continues to grow, it is critical not to overlook the potential contribution of these lesser-known vectors.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/7/932arbovirusarthropodhematophagoustransmissionvector competence |
| spellingShingle | Bradley J. Blitvich The Role of Hematophagous Arthropods, Other than Mosquitoes and Ticks, in Arbovirus Transmission Viruses arbovirus arthropod hematophagous transmission vector competence |
| title | The Role of Hematophagous Arthropods, Other than Mosquitoes and Ticks, in Arbovirus Transmission |
| title_full | The Role of Hematophagous Arthropods, Other than Mosquitoes and Ticks, in Arbovirus Transmission |
| title_fullStr | The Role of Hematophagous Arthropods, Other than Mosquitoes and Ticks, in Arbovirus Transmission |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Role of Hematophagous Arthropods, Other than Mosquitoes and Ticks, in Arbovirus Transmission |
| title_short | The Role of Hematophagous Arthropods, Other than Mosquitoes and Ticks, in Arbovirus Transmission |
| title_sort | role of hematophagous arthropods other than mosquitoes and ticks in arbovirus transmission |
| topic | arbovirus arthropod hematophagous transmission vector competence |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/7/932 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT bradleyjblitvich theroleofhematophagousarthropodsotherthanmosquitoesandticksinarbovirustransmission AT bradleyjblitvich roleofhematophagousarthropodsotherthanmosquitoesandticksinarbovirustransmission |