Nycthemeral Rhythm of Phlebotominae (Diptera: Psychodidae) in a Craggy Region, Transitioning Between the Wetland and the Plateau, Brazil

Abstract

Recording the nycthemeral rhythm of sand flies allows the evaluation of the daily activity in different ecotypes, the period of greatest activity, and their degree of anthropophily. We investigated the fauna and the rhythm of sand fly activity in an ecotourism region in Mato Grosso do Sul (MS) state, Brazil. Sand flies were captured monthly, using a Shannon trap for 24 h periods between July 2012 and June 2014. We collected 1,815 sand flies, in which Lutzomyia whitmani (=Nyssomyia whitmani, sensu Galati) and Lutzomyia longipalpis were the most abundant species during the dry season, with activity from 5 p.m.-7 a.m. and 6 p.m.-5 a.m., respectively. Both species require particular attention as vectors of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum in several regions of Brazil, including MS. However, Lutzomyia dispar was more anthropophilic, and was most active between January and March, from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. Lutzomyia misionensis (=Pintomyia misionensis, sensu Galati) was present throughout both years, active from 4 p.m. to 5 a.m. Other species were active from 5 p.m. to 6 a.m. Due to intense tourism in the months that coincide with a high number of vectors for leishmaniases in Piraputanga, it is essential to determine vector-monitoring strategies in the area by investigating sand fly rhythm while not neglecting other periods of the year when the insects are present.

Sandfly fauna (Diptera: Psychodidae) in an urban area, Central-West of Brazil

“…In Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), a total of 66 species of phlebotomine was identified 9 , 24 - 30 . The species recorded in Camapuã were already reported in MS and the composition is similar to that of other urban areas in the State 24 , 26 , 28 .…”

Spatiotemporal changes in exposition risk to leishmaniases vector in residences within a fishing tourism area of Pantanal wetland

“…longipalpis has a wide range and is still growing. Abundance of this species throughout Brazil has been recorded in VL transmission areas [ 18 ; 35 ]. Since the 1980s, its adaptation to the urban environment has been observed in Brazil.…”

Attractiveness of black and white modified Shannon traps to phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera, Psychodidae) in the Brazilian Amazon Basin, an area of intense transmission of American cutaneous leishmaniasis

“…Recently, studies on the nictemeral rhythm of phlebotomines in a craggy region near the Bodoquena Plateau also found a significant attractiveness of black Shannon traps to Lu. dispar Martins & Silva, 1963, another anthropophilic species [38]. These two regions are speleological areas and both species are troglophyles, which may explain their significant attraction to the black Shannon traps.…”

“…However, the species may respond differently to this attraction, as reported by Gilbert and Gouck [32] with regard to mosquitoes and Galati et al [24, 25], Cruz et al [17], Moschin et al [48], and Infran et al [38] to phlebotomine sandflies.…”