Distribution and Seasonality ofPhlebotomusSand Flies in Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Foci, Judean Desert, Israel

Abstract

The ecology of Phlebotomus sand flies in cutaneous leishmaniasis foci as a result of Leishmania tropica in the Judean Desert was studied. Between 2005 and 2007, >265,000 specimens were trapped outdoors and 1,233 specimens were collected indoors. The catches included Phlebotomus sergenti Parrot, Phlebotomus papatasi (Scopoli), Phlebotomus syriacus Adler & Theodor, and Phlebotomus tobbi Adler & Theodor. P. sergenti, the local vector of Leishmania tropica, comprised 90% of outdoor catches, and relatively few were caught indoors. Conversely, P. papatasi were > 90% of the indoor collections, and only a few were caught outdoors. The efficiency of trapping methods varied, but species composition and sex ratio remained constant irrespective of method. Sand flies were abundant on slopes facing east where wind velocity was low, and scarce on slopes facing west and residential areas. Large numbers and high proportion of males that occur near breeding sites were found in man-made rock walls and in rock crevices on slopes of uncultivated hills. Population increase began in April, was more intensive between May and November, peaked in August-September, and significantly decreased in December. Indoors, most of the P. sergenti (< 80%) were collected from September to November. A few sand flies were found between January and March. The effects of climatic factors and human activities on sand fly populations and the risk of Leishmania infections are discussed.

Breeding Sites of Phlebotomus sergenti, the Sand Fly Vector of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in the Judean Desert

“…sergenti , the vector of zoonotic L. tropica , to congregate in and around their diurnal resting/breeding sites, which are frequently in rocky habitats with caves or boulder mounds inhabited by hyraxes, has been previously documented [21], [35]. In preceding studies performed in Kfar Adumim and elsewhere in Israel, it was shown that Ph.…”

“…In preceding studies performed in Kfar Adumim and elsewhere in Israel, it was shown that Ph. sergenti were abundant in caves and rocky slopes but conspicuously absent from nearby homes [19], [21], [36].…”

“…Ph. sergenti were shown to be primarily exophilic but towards the end of summer their numbers indoors increased [21]. On the other hand the majority of sand flies captured inside houses were Ph.…”

“…On the other hand the majority of sand flies captured inside houses were Ph. papatasi but only few were collected outside [19], [21]. Significantly, despite the existence of its known vector, Ph.…”

Combining Climatic Projections and Dispersal Ability: A Method for Estimating the Responses of Sandfly Vector Species to Climate Change

“…Temperature and humidity are also the main factors impacting the altitudinal structure of sandfly occurrences [16]. It is known that sandflies react very sensitive to wind speed and prefer breeding sites sheltered from wind [17]–[20]. Beyond that, high wind speed decreases or even excludes flight activity [17], [21].…”