Phlebotomus (Transphlebotomus) mascittii Grassi, 1908, in Carinthia: first record of the occurrence of sandflies in Austria (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae)

Naucke, Torsten J.; Lorentz, Susanne; Rauchenwald, Friedrich; Aspöck, Horst

doi:10.1007/s00436-011-2361-0

Cited by 41 publications

(26 citation statements)

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“…perniciosus, which accounted for only 0.48 % of captures in the study area, is fairly abundant in the Provence region [26]. In agreement with previous data [27], Ph. mascittii represented a very small proportion of the total sandfly captures (0.11 %).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Ecology and spatiotemporal dynamics of sandflies in the Mediterranean Languedoc region (Roquedur area, Gard, France)

et al. 2015

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BackgroundPhlebotomine sandflies are hematophagous insects widely present in Western Mediterranean countries and known for their role as Leishmania vectors. During the last ten years, the risk of leishmaniasis re-emergence has increased in France. However, sandfly biology and ecology in the South of France remain poorly known because the last detailed study on their spatiotemporal dynamics was performed over 30 years ago. The aim of the present study was to update our knowledge on sandfly ecology by determining their spatiotemporal dynamics and by investigating the relationship between environmental/climatic factors and the presence and abundance of sandflies in the South of France.MethodsAn entomological survey was carried out during three years (2011–2013) along a 14 kilometer-long transect. The findings were compared with the data collected along the same transect in 1977. Data loggers were placed in each station and programmed to record temperature and relative humidity every six hours between April 2011 and November 2014. Several environmental factors (such as altitude, slope and wall orientation (North, East, West and South)) were characterized at each station.ResultsFour sandfly species were collected: Phlebotomus ariasi and Sergentomyia minuta, which were predominant, Ph. perniciosus and Ph. mascittii. Sandfly activity within the studied area started in May and ended in October with peaks in July-August at the optimum average temperature. We found a positive effect of altitude and temperature and a negative effect of relative humidity on Ph. ariasi and Se. minuta presence. We detected interspecific differences and non-linear effects of these climatic variables on sandfly abundance. Although the environment has considerably changed in 30 years, no significant difference in sandfly dynamics and species diversity was found by comparing the 1977 and 2011–2013 data.ConclusionOur study shows that this area maintains a rich sandfly fauna with high Ph. ariasi population density during the active season. This represents a risk for Leishmania transmission. The analysis revealed that the presence and abundance of Ph. ariasi and Se. minuta were differently correlated with the environmental and climatic factors. Comparison with the data collected in 1977 highlighted the sandfly population stability, suggesting that they can adapt, in the short and long term, to changing ecosystems.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Ecology and spatiotemporal dynamics of sandflies in the Mediterranean Languedoc region (Roquedur area, Gard, France)

et al. 2015

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“…Until the first and hitherto unique finding of sandflies in Austria near the Carinthian/Slovenian border in the year 2009 (Naucke et al 2011), Austria was believed to be free of sandflies. However, it had already been shown that only a moderate increase in temperature would lead to conditions favourable for the occurrence of sandflies in large parts of the country (Aspöck et al 2006).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In subsequent years, the autochthonous occurrence of sandflies in Central Europe was confirmed by further catches in Germany and Belgium. Recently, the occurrence of Phlebotomus ( Transphlebotomus ) mascittii was also documented in Austria, in Carinthia close to the border to Slovenia (Naucke et al 2011). These recent sandfly catches together with autochthonous cases of leishmaniasis and Phlebovirus infections in Central Europe, particularly in Germany (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emergence of sandflies (Phlebotominae) in Austria, a Central European country

et al. 2013

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The possible existence of autochthonous sandfly populations in Central Europe north of the Alps has long been excluded. However, in the past years, sandflies have been documented in Germany, Belgium, and recently, also in Austria, close to the Slovenian border. Moreover, autochthonous human Leishmania and Phlebovirus infections have been reported in Central Europe, particularly in Germany. From 2010 to 2012, sandfly trapping (740 trap nights) was performed at 53 different capture sites in Austria using battery-operated CDC miniature light traps. Sites were chosen on the basis of their climate profile in the federal states Styria, Burgenland, and Lower Austria. Sandfly specimens found were transferred to 70 % ethanol for conservation. Identification was based on morphological characters of the male genitalia and the female spermathecae, respectively. Altogether, 24 specimens, 22 females and 2 males, all identified as Phlebotomus (Transphlebotomus) mascittii Grassi, 1908, were found at six different sampling sites in all three federal states investigated. The highest number of catches was made on a farm in Lower Austria. Altogether, the period of sandfly activity in Austria was shown to be much longer than presumed, the earliest capture was made on July 3rd and the latest on August 28th. Sandflies have been autochthonous in Austria in small foci probably for long, but in the course of global warming, further spreading may be expected. Although P. mascittii is only an assumed vector of Leishmania spp.—data on its experimental transmission capacity are still lacking—the wide distribution of sandflies in Austria, a country thought to be free of sandflies, further supports a potential emergence of sandflies in Central Europe. This is of medical relevance, not only with respect to the transmission of Leishmania spp. for which a reservoir is given in dogs, but also with respect to the phleboviruses.

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“…In Austria, P. mascittii was first recorded in 2009 [12]. Since then, several field studies in various regions of Austria have been conducted [16, 18], and interestingly, P. mascittii was only found close to human dwellings, usually farms with livestock and companion animals, corroborating its adaption to man-made environments.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Could Phlebotomus mascittii play a role as a natural vector for Leishmania infantum? New data

et al. 2016

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BackgroundThe occurrence of phlebotomine sand flies in Central Europe was questioned until they were recorded for the first time in Germany in 1999, and ten years later also in Austria. The aim of this study was to investigate sand flies collected in Austria for their carrier status of Leishmania spp.FindingsFrom 2012 to 2013 field studies were conducted in eastern Austria. Altogether, 22 individuals of sand flies were found, all morphologically identified as Phlebotomus (Transphlebotomus) mascittii Grassi, 1908. Twelve non-engorged female specimens with no visible remnants of a blood meal in their bodies were individually investigated for Leishmania spp. by ITS-1 real-time PCR. One out of these was positive for Leishmania, identified as Leishmania infantum by DNA sequencing. This finding suggests that L. infantum is not excreted by P. mascittii and possibly can establish an infection within P. mascittii. Interestingly, an asymptomatic dog living on the farm where this sand fly had been caught was also Leishmania-positive.ConclusionsThis study provides new data on the suspected vector capacity of P. mascittii, being the northernmost sand fly species in Europe and in most central European regions the only sand fly species found. Proven vector capacity of P. mascittii for Leishmania spp. would be of significant medico-veterinary importance, not only with respect to expanding sand fly populations in Central Europe related to global warming, but also in the light of globalization and increasing movements of humans.

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Phlebotomus (Transphlebotomus) mascittii Grassi, 1908, in Carinthia: first record of the occurrence of sandflies in Austria (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae)

Abstract: During an entomology survey in July 2009 and July 2010, 4 males and 22 females of Phlebotomus (Transphlebotomus) mascittii were caught in southeastern Carinthia. These are the first documented records of the occurrence of Phlebotominae in Austria.

Cited by 41 publications

References 15 publications

Ecology and spatiotemporal dynamics of sandflies in the Mediterranean Languedoc region (Roquedur area, Gard, France)

Ecology and spatiotemporal dynamics of sandflies in the Mediterranean Languedoc region (Roquedur area, Gard, France)

Emergence of sandflies (Phlebotominae) in Austria, a Central European country

Could Phlebotomus mascittii play a role as a natural vector for Leishmania infantum? New data

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