The Medical Entomology Unit focuses on haematophagous diptera, which act as vectors of arboviral diseases affecting both animals and humans. Specifically, it carries out diagnostic, surveillance, research, and cooperation activities related to Culicidae (mosquitoes), Culicoides, and the viral diseases they transmit, including Bluetongue, African Horse Sickness, Epizootic Haemorrhagic Disease, Equine Encephalosis, Akabane, Schmallenberg, Bovine Ephemeral Fever, West Nile Disease, Usutu, Rift Valley Fever, Lumpy Skin Disease, and other arboviral diseases that can affect humans.

The unit:

• Coordinates and conducts entomological activities related to mosquitoes and Culicoides for IZSAM as a WOAH Reference Laboratory for Bluetongue, WOAH Reference Laboratory for West Nile Disease, and within the framework of the Centre for the Study of Exotic Diseases (CESME).
• Leads entomological activities within the National Bluetongue Surveillance Plan in Italy, working in close collaboration with other Istituti Zooprofilattici Sperimentali (IIZZSS).
• Carries out entomological fieldwork and laboratory analyses to diagnose arboviruses in vectors, both in Italy and abroad.
• Delivers training activities on entomological surveillance and insect-borne arboviral diseases.
• Conducts experimental infection studies to assess the vector competence of Culicoides and mosquitoes.
• Participates in numerous research projects at the national and international levels.