Development of Lutzomyia intermedia and Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) larvae in different diets

Abstract

The objective of this research was to evaluate, in laboratory, the development of Lutzomyia intermedia and Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) larvae, vectors of leishmaniasis in Brazil, in the following diets: industrialized food for rabbits, dogs, hamsters and aquarium fishes, besides liver powder, cooked lettuce, wheat germ, beer yeast, oat, wheat bran and a diet denominated aged food. Except wheat bran for L. intermedia, all diets provided adequate development for both species, which showed that any of them can be used in laboratory insectaries for these insects. L. intermedia showed better development with most nutritious diets and both species presented better development with aged food. Fungi as an additional nutrient source for L. intermedia and L. longipalpis is suggested.

Expression pattern of glycoside hydrolase genes in Lutzomyia longipalpis reveals key enzymes involved in larval digestion

“…However, little is known about the feeding habits of their larvae in their natural environment. In experimental conditions, larval L. longipalpis and L. intermedia developed better when fed on a diet of fungi-rich humus which mimics larval substrate in the wilderness (Wermelinger and Zanuncio, 2001). Recently, breeding sites for sand fly larvae were described in the forest located at Amazonas State (Alencar et al, 2011) and in urban and peri urban areas in Southeast Brazil (Casanova et al, 2013).…”

“…Male and female adults feed on plant sap (or blood, in the case of females) (Brazil and Brazil, 2003; Soares and Turco, 2003) while larvae grow on decaying organic matter, mainly of plant origin, or animal feces. Wermelinger and Zanuncio (2001) found that L. longipalpis and L. intermedia larvae improved development until pupation when fed a variety of the diet described by Young et al (1981), constituted by humus containing an intense proliferation of fungi. The authors suggested that this composition mimicked the larval substrate in the wilderness.…”

Effect of Fruit and Leaves of Meliaceae Plants (Azadirachta indicaandMelia azedarach) on the Development ofLutzomyia longipalpisLarvae (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) Under Experimental Conditions

“…For example, the dose of azadirachtin A responsible for molting inhibition in Rhodnius prolixus is 650 times lower than the dose related to phago-inhibition and also mortality (Garcia and Azambuja 2004). This is an interesting observation, because a polyphagous insect like the L. longipalpis larva may ingest food from a wide variety of sources (Forattini 1973, Wermelinger and Zanuncio 2001, Volf et al 2002, Feliciangeli 2004, Nery et al 2004, thus accepting parts of Meliaceae plants, which can beneÞt insecticide-based control programs. Because no extractions were performed, the materials used here can be classiÞed as unprocessed and nonconcentrated.…”

Life cycle differences among Brazilian sandflies of the Lutzomyia longipalpis sibling species complex

“…is probably one of the species which is most easily colonized and with which most laboratories have been successful (Deane & Deane, 1955; Sherlock & Sherlock, 1959, 1972; Mangabeira Filho, 1969; Killick‐Kendrick et al ., 1973, 1977; Ward 1974a, b; Ready, 1978, 1979; Modi & Tesh, 1983; Vexenat et al ., 1984; Rangel et al ., 1986; Killick‐Kendrick & Killick‐Kendrick, 1987; Wermelinger et al ., 1987; Lawyer etal. , 1991; Souza et al ., 1995, 1999; Luitgards‐Moura et al ., 2000; Wermelinger & Zanuncio, 2001).…”