Abstract.In 1991, as part of an epidemiological study of bluetongue viruses (BTV) in the Central American and Caribbean region, eight farms located in Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama and Puerto Rico were sampled forCulicoidesspp. attacking cattle. Using cattle bait, 3884 biting midges were collected with an electric aspirator during both crepuscular periods. The predominant species captured wasCulicoides insignisLutz (95%), followed byC.furens(Poey) (3.4%),C.filariferHoffman/C.ocumarensisOrtiz (0.9%),C.lahillei(Iches) (0.7%),C.arubaeFox and Hoffman (<0.1%) andC.gorgasiWirth and Blanton (<0.1%). Blood‐engorged specimens from some of these species were collected and comprised: 18% of allC.insignis, 36% ofC.furens, 37% offilarifer/ocumarensisand 25% ofC.lahillei.No engorgedC.arubaeorC.gorgasiwere caught. These results confirm earlier findings pointing toC.insignis, C.furensandC.filarifer/ ocumarensisas potential vectors of BTV in the regio