In a study done in Sicily, C. imicola do not inhabit undulating or high-altitude areas.Conte, A., A. Giovannini, L. Savini, M. Goffredo, P. Calistri, and R. Meiswinkel. “The Effect of Climate on the Presence of Culicoides Imicola in Italy.” Journal of Veterinary Medicine, Series B 50, no. 3 (2003): 139–47. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1439-0450.2003.00632.x. They instead prefer lower altitude flattish regions at around 200 meters. This is because in steeply undulating topographic areas, rapid desiccation leads to drying of soil, which prevents proper larval development. Further examination has shown that the biggest determining factor in their distribution is not altitude but a suitable climate and nutritious soil.
