Larval Conditioning and Aging of Sand Fly Rearing Medium Affect Oviposition Site Selection in Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae) Sand Flies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsey R Faw ◽  
Kasie Raymann ◽  
Nayma Romo Bechara ◽  
Gideon Wasserberg
Keyword(s):  
Conditioned Medium ◽  
Food Source ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Larval Rearing ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Phlebotomus Papatasi ◽  
Larval Food ◽  
Gravid Females ◽  
Larval Conditioning

Abstract Sand fly larvae develop in sheltered humid habitats containing decaying organic matter on which they feed. Previously, we showed that gravid females of Phlebotomus papatasi Scopoli (Diptera: Psychodidae) are attracted to and stimulated to lay eggs on larval rearing medium containing larvae. That study, however, did not control for the possible effect of medium aging. Our goal in this study was to evaluate the effect of larval substrate conditioning on attraction and oviposition responses of Ph. papatasi sand flies while controlling for the effect of substrate aging. Initially, we confirmed that the pretreatment fresh larval food sources (to be used as larval conditioned and unconditioned media) did not differ with respect to their effect on attraction and oviposition responses. The larval conditioned medium was produced by rearing larvae to the second/third-instar stage over 3 wk using the same larval food source. To produce larval unconditioned medium, the same amount of fresh larval food was added to a control rearing cup that did not contain larvae but was aged under identical time and conditions. Two-choice bioassays were conducted to evaluate gravid female’s attraction and oviposition response to larval conditioned and unconditioned media. We found that gravid females were significantly attracted (P < 0.05) to larval conditioned medium when compared with unconditioned medium under the same amount of time and conditions. However, no such difference was found with respect to oviposition response. Both attraction and oviposition responses were significantly increased for larval conditioned and unconditioned media in comparison to the initial fresh larval food source.

scholarly journals Development of a Diagnostic Marker for Phlebotomus papatasi to Initiate a Potential Vector Surveillance Program in North America

Insects ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Austin Merchant ◽  
Tian Yu ◽  
Jizhe Shi ◽  
Xuguo Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Identification ◽  
International Travel ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Phlebotomus Papatasi ◽  
Diagnostic Assay ◽  
Vector Surveillance ◽  
Geographical Regions ◽  
Imminent Threat

Phlebotomus papatasi, an Old World sand fly species, is primarily responsible for the transmission of leishmaniasis, a highly infectious and potentially lethal disease. International travel, especially military rotations, between domestic locations and P. papatasi-prevalent regions in the Middle East poses an imminent threat to the public health of US citizens. Because of its small size and cryptic morphology, identification of P. papatasi is challenging and labor-intensive. Here, we developed a ribosomal DNA-polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based diagnostic assay that is capable of detecting P. papatasi genomic DNA from mixed samples containing multiple sand flies native to the Americas. Serial dilution of P. papatasi samples demonstrated that this diagnostic assay could detect one P. papatasi from up to 255 non-target sand flies. Due to its simplicity, sensitivity and specificity, this rapid identification tool is suited for a long-term surveillance program to screen for the presence of P. papatasi in the continental United States and to reveal geographical regions potentially vulnerable to sand fly-borne diseases.

scholarly journals Experimental Infection of Sand Flies by Massilia Virus and Viral Transmission by Co-Feeding on Sugar Meal

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Jancarova ◽  
Laurence Bichaud ◽  
Jana Hlavacova ◽  
Stephane Priet ◽  
Nazli Ayhan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infection Rate ◽  
Sexual Transmission ◽  
Horizontal Transmission ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Convincing Evidence ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
Larval Food ◽  
Efficient Route

Background: Massilia virus (MASV) is a phlebovirus isolated from Phlebotomus perniciosus in various regions of southwestern Europe. It is closely related to human pathogens such as Toscana virus and sandfly fever Naples virus. The natural cycle of phleboviruses is poorly understood. Indeed, experimental studies demonstrate that transovarial and sexual transmission are not efficient enough for the maintenance of the virus in nature and to date there is no convincing evidence that a species of vertebrates is the reservoir of the virus. Here, we studied various transmission routes of MASV taking advantage of experimental colonies representing different species of sand flies. Methodology/Principal findings: In P. perniciosus, four sources of infection were compared: (i) Virus-seeded larval food to the first instar larvae (L1), or (ii) to the fourth instar larvae (L4), (iii) virus-seeded blood meal to adult females, and (iv) virus-seeded sugar meal to adults of both sexes. From 875 adults emerged from infected L1 and L4, only three were positive. In females infected by bloodmeal the infection rate was high before defecation, then it decreased drastically; MASV RNA was detected in only 5 out of 27 post-defecation. Surprisingly, the most efficient route of infection was observed after intake of virus-seeded sugar meal: 72% of females (79/110) and 52% of males (51/99) were found to be MASV RNA-positive. In addition, MASV-infected sandflies regurgitated virus particules into the sugar drop and MASV RNA was detectable in this drop for at least 24 h after regurgitation. MASV RNA was detected in about one third of the P. perniciosus exposed to this sugar drop contaminated by regurgitation. Sugar meal infection was also tested with six other species of sand flies. In males, there were no significant differences in infection rates when compared to P. perniciosus. In females, most species tested showed high infection rate at the beginning but then significant gradual decrease in infection rate during the experiment. Conclusions/Significance: We present the first description of arboviral infection of a dipteran vector using sugar meal. In all seven sand fly species tested, MASV was detected for two weeks post-infection. Our results showed that MASV can be transmitted between P. perniciosus either through co-feeding or via an infected sugar source such as plant sap. These newly described routes of horizontal transmission may play an important role in the circulation of phleboviruses in nature.

scholarly journals CRISPR/Cas9 Mutagenesis in Phlebotomus papatasi: the Immune Deficiency Pathway Impacts Vector Competence for Leishmania major

mBio ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabelle Louradour ◽  
Kashinath Ghosh ◽  
Ehud Inbar ◽  
David L. Sacks
Keyword(s):  
Immune Deficiency ◽  
Immune Response ◽  
Leishmania Major ◽  
Vector Competence ◽  
Targeted Mutagenesis ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Phlebotomus Papatasi ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Imd Pathway

ABSTRACT Sand flies are the natural vectors for the Leishmania species that produce a spectrum of diseases in their mammalian hosts, including humans. Studies of sand fly/Leishmania interactions have been limited by the absence of genome editing techniques applicable to these insects. In this report, we adapted CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeat)/Cas9 (CRISPR-associated protein 9) technology to the Phlebotomus papatasi sand fly, a natural vector for Leishmania major, targeting the sand fly immune deficiency (IMD) pathway in order to decipher its contribution to vector competence. We established a protocol for transformation in P. papatasi and were able to generate transmissible null mutant alleles for Relish (Rel), the only transcription factor of the IMD pathway. While the maintenance of a homozygous mutant stock was severely compromised, we were able to establish in an early generation their greater susceptibility to infection with L. major. Flies carrying different heterozygous mutant alleles variably displayed a more permissive phenotype, presenting higher loads of parasites or greater numbers of infective-stage promastigotes. Together, our data show (i) the successful adaptation of the CRISPR/Cas9 technology to sand flies and (ii) the impact of the sand fly immune response on vector competence for Leishmania parasites. IMPORTANCE Sand flies are the natural vectors of Leishmania parasites. Studies of sand fly/Leishmania interactions have been limited by the lack of successful genomic manipulation of these insects. This paper shows the first example of successful targeted mutagenesis in sand flies via adaptation of the CRISPR/Cas9 editing technique. We generated transmissible null mutant alleles of relish, a gene known to be essential for the control of immune response in other insects. In addition to the expected higher level of susceptibility to bacteria, the mutant flies presented higher loads of parasites when infected with L. major, showing that the sand fly immune response impacts its vector competence for this pathogen.

scholarly journals Effects of larval rearing substrates on some life-table parameters of Lutzomyia longipalpis sand flies

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. e0009034
Author(s):  
Kelsilandia Aguiar Martins ◽  
Maria Helena de Athayde Meirelles ◽  
Tiago Feitosa Mota ◽  
Ibrahim Abbasi ◽  
Artur Trancoso Lopo de Queiroz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Endemic Area ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Lutzomyia Longipalpis ◽  
Larval Rearing ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Life Table Parameters ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Causative Agents ◽  
Chicken Feces

Sand flies are the insects responsible for transmitting Leishmania parasites, the causative agents of leishmaniasis in humans. However, the effects of sand fly breeding sites on their biology and ecology remain poorly understood. Herein, we studied how larval nutrition associated with putative breeding sites of the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis affects their oviposition, development, microbiome, and susceptibility to Leishmania by rearing L. longipalpis on substrates collected from an endemic area for leishmaniasis in Brazil. The results showed that female L. longipalpis select the oviposition site based on its potential to promote larval maturation and while composting cashew leaf litter hindered the development, larvae reared on chicken feces developed rapidly. Typical gut microbial profiles were found in larvae reared upon cashew leaf litter. Adult females from larvae reared on substrate collected in chicken coops were infected with Leishmania infantum, indicating that they were highly susceptible to the parasite. In conclusion, the larval breeding sites can exert an important role in the epidemiology of leishmaniasis.

scholarly journals Diversity and Geographical Distribution of Sand Flies Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Phlebotominae) by using Geometric Morphometric Technique from two Iraqi Provinces

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 0754
Author(s):  
Sahar Abd Abd ◽  
Riyadh Okail ◽  
Soolaf A. Kathiar ◽  
Nawras Mzahem
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Morphological Features ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Phlebotomus Papatasi ◽  
Centroid Size ◽  
Geometric Morphometric ◽  
Geometric Morphometry ◽  
Size And Shape

            The variation in wing morphological features was investigated using geometric morphometric technique of the Sand Fly from two Iraqi provinces Babylon and Diyala . We distributed eleven landmarks on the wings of Sand Fly species. By using the centroid size and shape together, all species were clearly distinguished.  It is clear from these results that the wing analysis is an essential method for future geometric morphometry studies to distinguish the species of Sand Flies in Iraq.

scholarly journals Seasonal dynamics of Phlebotomus Papatasi (Scopoli, 1786) (Diptera: Psychodidae) population in southern Republic of Moldova

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiana Sulesco ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Dynamics ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Phlebotomus Papatasi ◽  
Light Traps ◽  
Phlebotomine Sand Flies ◽  
Republic Of Moldova ◽  
Genus Leishmania

Phlebotomine sand flies are vectors of several infectious pathogens, including parasitic protozoans of the genus Leishmania and phleboviruses. Increasing sand fly biting nuisance reported by residents from southern Republic of Moldova since 2011 initiated this study. Ceadir-Lunga, a semi-urban locality in southern Republic of Moldova was selected for seasonal sand fly collections outdoors and indoors in 2015 and 2017 using CDC light traps and manual aspirators. Continuous trapping showed markedly longer activity of P. papatasi indoors. Specimens were collected from first aspirations in the second half of June until last collections in mid-September, suggesting that the actual indoor activity of P. papatasi may have been longer. Low numbers of trapped specimens do not allow make accurate conclusions regarding the seasonal dynamics.

scholarly journals Diversity and Dynamics of Sand Flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) of Two Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Foci in the Fes-Boulemane Region of Northern Morocco

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatima Zahra Talbi ◽  
Chafika Faraj ◽  
Fouad EL-Akhal ◽  
Fatiha El Khayyat ◽  
Driss Chenfour ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Phlebotomus Papatasi ◽  
Phlebotomus Perniciosus ◽  
Phlebotomus Sergenti ◽  
Sergentomyia Minuta ◽  
Two Peaks

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an infectious disease caused by various species ofLeishmaniaand transmitted by several species of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae). In order to evaluate the risk of leishmaniasis transmission in Fes-Boulemane, an investigation was carried out in two localities, Aichoun and Bouasseme, during 2011. From January to December, 1120 specimens were collected in Aichoun comprising six species belonging to two genera:Phlebotomus sergenti(76.07%),Phlebotomus longicuspis(9.01%),Phlebotomus perniciosus(8.48%),Phlebotomus papatasi(4.82%),Sergentomyia minuta,andSergentomyia fallax. For Bouasseme, seven species were identified withPhlebotomus sergenti(60.39%) dominating, followed byPhlebotomus perniciosus(20%) andPhlebotomus longicuspis(12.15%). The remaining species,Phlebotomus papatasi,Phlebotomus ariasi,Sergentomyia minuta,andSergentomyia fallax,were less prevalent. The activity of sand flies in both localities is marked by the dominance ofPh. sergentiwith two peaks occurring in June and September. In order to obtain a better understanding of sand fly diversity among their species, results were analyzed by the ecological indices determinant: specific richness, the relative abundance, and Shannon-Weiner index (H′). Further studies of sand fly diversity should employ statistical tests and molecular analyses. This study can be useful in the implementation of appropriate future control measures.

scholarly journals Designing and Introducing a New Artificial Feeding Apparatus for Sand Fly Rearing

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahboubeh Fatemi ◽  
Zahra Saeidi ◽  
Parviz Noruzian ◽  
Amir Ahmad Akhavan
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Artificial Feeding ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Phlebotomus Papatasi ◽  
Feeding Apparatus ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
Membrane Feeding ◽  
Chicken Skin ◽  
New Apparatus

Background: Due to strict ethical rules, the risk of accidental disease transmission and the most importantly, inconven­ience regarding using of live animals, artificial feeding apparatus has been developed for colonization of haematophagous insects. Rearing of sandfly is more difficult than other haematophagous insects. Methods: In the current study, a new apparatus for membrane feeding of Phlebotomus papatasi was designed, made and compared with available apparatus in Sand Fly Insectary, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, in 2014. Results: In comparison to other apparatus designed for artificial feeding of other arthropods, our designed apparatus had the highest performance which after up to 1h, the majority of sand flies landed and took blood and among tested membranes, chicken skin was proved the most efficient membrane. Conclusion: Sand fly artificial feeding apparatus can be used at least for rearing of Ph. papatasi.

scholarly journals Molecular signatures of sexual communication in the phlebotomine sand flies

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. e0008967
Author(s):  
Paul V. Hickner ◽  
Nataliya Timoshevskaya ◽  
Ronald J. Nowling ◽  
Frédéric Labbé ◽  
Andrew D. Nguyen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aggregation Pheromone ◽  
Sexual Communication ◽  
Gene Families ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Gene Copy ◽  
Lutzomyia Longipalpis ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Sympatric Populations ◽  
Phlebotomine Sand Flies

Phlebotomine sand flies employ an elaborate system of pheromone communication wherein males produce pheromones that attract other males to leks (thus acting as an aggregation pheromone) and females to the lekking males (sex pheromone). In addition, the type of pheromone produced varies among populations. Despite the numerous studies on sand fly chemical communication, little is known of their chemosensory genome. Chemoreceptors interact with chemicals in an organism’s environment to elicit essential behaviors such as the identification of suitable mates and food sources. Thus, they play important roles during adaptation and speciation. Major chemoreceptor gene families, odorant receptors (ORs), gustatory receptors (GRs) and ionotropic receptors (IRs) together detect and discriminate the chemical landscape. Here, we annotated the chemoreceptor repertoire in the genomes of Lutzomyia longipalpis and Phlebotomus papatasi, major phlebotomine vectors in the New World and Old World, respectively. Comparison with other sequenced Diptera revealed a large and unique expansion where over 80% of the ~140 ORs belong to a single, taxonomically restricted clade. We next conducted a comprehensive analysis of the chemoreceptors in 63 L. longipalpis individuals from four different locations in Brazil representing allopatric and sympatric populations and three sex-aggregation pheromone types (chemotypes). Population structure based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and gene copy number in the chemoreceptors corresponded with their putative chemotypes, and corroborate previous studies that identified multiple populations. Our work provides genomic insights into the underlying behavioral evolution of sexual communication in the L. longipalpis species complex in Brazil, and highlights the importance of accounting for the ongoing speciation in central and South American Lutzomyia that could have important implications for vectorial capacity.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document