Novel Insight into (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) Host Preferences and the First Evidence of Avian Haemosporidian Parasites in Biting Midges in Slovakia.

biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are important vectors of avian haemosporidian parasites. Understanding their host preferences is crucial for elucidating transmission routes of vector-borne pathogens. In Slovakia, such knowledge is limited, particularly in forested wetlands. This study aimed to identify species, their host preferences, and haemosporidian parasites in a wetland ecosystem at the Bird Ringing Station in Drienovec. Midges were collected in 2022 using UV light traps at two sites. In total, 2344 individuals of 19 species were collected. Host blood was identified and DNA subsequently extracted from 36 engorged females, revealing feeding on three mammal and five bird species. The most frequently identified host was roe deer (), predominantly fed upon by (Meigen 1818). Notably, avian haemosporidian DNA was detected for the first time in Slovakia in three females. In two Dzhafarov 1961 individuals, DNA of (TUPHI01) and (LINN1) was confirmed, both associated with avian blood from sp. One Kieffer 1914 female carried (HAWF1) and fed on . These findings highlight the potential role of local species in transmitting avian pathogens and underscore the importance of monitoring their ecology.