Ecology of phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae)in a focus of Leishmania (Viannia) brasiliensis in northeastern ColombiaThe phlebotomine sand fly fauna of two coffee plantations in a Leishmania-endemic area of Norte de Santander, Colombia was studied. Regular insect collections using a variety of methods were made for three and a half years. Information was obtained on diurnal resting sites, host range and seasonal abundance for 17 species, of wich five (Lutzomyia spinicrassa, Lu. serrana,Lu. shannoni, Lu. ovallesi and Lu. gomezi) were far more numerous than the others, anthropophilic and present throughout the year. The behaviour of these and the remaining 12 species is discussed in relation to their potential role in transmission of Leishmania (Viannia) brasiliensis in the area.
Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis; ecology; phlebotomine; sand flies; coffee plantations; Colombia
Ecology of phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae)in a focus of Leishmania (Viannia) brasiliensis in northeastern Colombia
Bruce Alexander1
Cristina Ferro2
David G. Young3
Alberto Morales1
Robert B. Tesh4
Centro Internacional de Entrenamiento e Investigaciones Médicas, Cali, Colombia
Instituto Nacional de Salud, Grupo de Entomología, Santa Fé de Bogotá, Colombia
University of Florida, 3103 McCarty Hall, Department of Entomology & Nematology, Florida, USA
Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, Yale Arbovirus Research Unit, New Haven, USA
The phlebotomine sand fly fauna of two coffee plantations in a Leishmania-endemic area of Norte de Santander, Colombia was studied. Regular insect collections using a variety of methods were made for three and a half years. Information was obtained on diurnal resting sites, host range and seasonal abundance for 17 species, of wich five (Lutzomyia spinicrassa, Lu. serrana,Lu. shannoni, Lu. ovallesi and Lu. gomezi) were far more numerous than the others, anthropophilic and present throughout the year. The behaviour of these and the remaining 12 species is discussed in relation to their potential role in transmission of Leishmania (Viannia) brasiliensis in the area.
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