Research Entomologist USDA-ARS, Kansas, United States
Vectors of veterinary importance spread pathogens that can cause significant health and wellness impacts to livestock and wildlife populations and economic impacts to producers of animal agriculture. They can also cause annoyance and agitation to animals, resulting in decreased weight gain and production in livestock, and mechanically move pathogens in animal agriculture environments. Understanding the field ecology of these vectors and improving methods of control are both vital aspects of managing vector-borne veterinary disease outbreaks. In this highlights talk, several 2025 papers highlighting advances in our knowledge of field ecology and control of veterinary vectors will be highlighted. Highlighted vectors include ticks, mites, kissing bugs, mosquitoes, louse flies, and biting midges and covered publications focused on projects investigating the field ecology and control of these groups.
