Preliminary field investigations on Phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) from a recent cutaneous leishmaniasis focus in Northern-Sinai, Egypt

Abstract

Species composition, sex ratio and nocturnal activity of sandflies were studied in El Barth, a recent focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in North Sinai, Egypt. CDC light traps and sticky paper traps were used for insect collection. Two species of sandflies were identified; Phlebotomus papatasi and P. sergenti. P. papatasi constituted more than 82 % of the collected sandflies in the surveyed sites. Number of caught P. papatasi females was almost double that of males, however, it was slightly male biased in case of P. sergenti. Both sandfly species exhibited nocturnal activity and peaked at 24:00-2:00. This study might be a step towards a better understanding of vector population dynamics in this recent focus of CL. Using the results of this study, health workers in this area can better manage control and prevention tactics of cutaneous leishmaniasis.