Morphological and molecular studies aiming the identification of Culicoides species captured near wild fauna and domestic equids of Portugal and near ruminants from Azores and Madeira archipelagos; Elaboration of risk maps for Culicoides species in mainland Portugal; Effects of alpha-cypermethrin on Culicoides sensorial organs of 3rd palpus segment, antenna and abdomen; Detection and identification of endosymbiotic bacteria in Culicoides specimens.