Midge larval habitat soil Raw sequence reads. Midge larval habitat soil

Microbial communities play a crucial role in survival, development, and fitness of diverse insect species including biting midges (Culicoides spp.), vector of microbial pathogens of wild and domestic animals. Several Culicoides spp. breed in microbe-rich semi-aquatic moist soil. However, our understanding in role of microbial communities of suspected midge habitat on survival and/or prevalence of Culicoides is limited. This study provides insight into soil microbial (bacteria, protista, fungi, and eukaryal) communities, soil properties and prevalence of midges in suspected larval habitats (pond and stream) within grazing types (bison-, cow-, and non-grazing) located at protected natural prairie.