Distribution and Seasonal Activity of Phlebotominae Sand Flies in Yazd and Its Outskirts, Center of Iran

Background. Phlebotominae sand flies are the main vectors of leishmaniasis and some other diseases. Materials and Methods. Using sticky traps, sand flies were collected fortnightly from outdoors and indoors areas of selected sites. Results. A total of 2032 specimens (498 in the city and 1534 in the outskirts of Yazd) belonging to 11 species were collected. The activity of sand flies started in early-April and ended in mid-November. There were two peaks of activity in the end of April and mid-September. Phlebotomus sergenti and P. papatasi were the most abundant species in the city and outskirts of Yazd city, respectively. Other species were P. salehi, P. ansarii, P. kazerouni, P. caucasicus, P. andrejevi, P. alexandri, P. mongolensis, Sergentomyia sintoni, and S. palestinensis. Conclusion. In comparison to some other parts of Iran, the extended period between two peaks suggests that the larvae to adult development of sand fly were delayed by the higher temperature of the summer months in Yazd province

Species composition of Phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Nikshahr county, south-eastern Iran

Background & objectives: Sandflies are reported as the vectors of different kinds of leishmaniasis to human.There are foci of the disease in Iran. The aim of this study was to determine the fauna and species compositionof sandflies to find the probable vectors of leishmaniasis in Nikshahr county, south-east of Iran, where cutaneousleishmaniasis is endemic.Methods: Sandflies were collected by sticky paper traps from 20 collection stations located in plain andmountainous area of Nikshahr county. The sex ratio and relative abundance of different species were alsodetermined.Results: A total of 11,455 sandflies revealed 23 species collected and identified. Phlebotomus alexandri, P.sergenti, P. papatasi, P. salehi, and P. keshishiani were the most important vector species found in this study.Interpretation & conclusion: During this survey 13 species are identified for the first time from Nikshahrcounty—P. bergeroti, P. eleanorae, P. keshishiani, P. halepensis, S. hodgsoni, S. christophersi, S. mervynae, S.dentata, S. dreyfussi, S. iranica, S. africana, S. grekovi and S. palestinensis, while P. keshishiani is an importantvector of visceral leishmaniasis in south of Iran. These data demonstrate five vectors of leishmaniasis areactive in the study area