Morphological identification keys for adults of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Sri Lanka

Abstract Background Phlebotomine sand flies are a medically important group of insects that is responsible for the transmission of leishmaniasis. Surveillance plays a major role in vector control programmes through exploring species abundance, potential entomological risk and designing appropriate control measures. In field surveillance programmes of such nature, morphological identification of vector species is of paramount importance. However, in Sri Lanka, there is no published taxonomic key available for the identification of leishmaniasis vectors. Method Identification keys for both male and females of the sand flies recorded in Sri Lanka were developed using morphological features. Main identification features were compared with the original observation of specimens collected from surveys and the use of published literature. Photographic illustrations of morphological features are included with the intention of making the keys user-friendly for non-taxonomists. Results A total of 22 sand fly species (Diptera: Psychodidae) of the genera Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia reported in Sri Lanka from 1910 to 2019 are included in the present work. Conclusion This simplified key, along with photographs taken from specimens would be beneficial to the health staff, entomologists and research staff who deal with leishmaniasis control programmes and vector-related studies.

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The Diversity of Midgut Bacteria among Wild-Caught Phlebotomus argentipes (Psychodidae: Phlebotominae), the Vector of Leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2020/5458063 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Nayana Gunathilaka ◽

Hirunika Perera ◽

Tharaka Wijerathna ◽

Wasana Rodrigo ◽

N. D. A. D. Wijegunawardana

Keyword(s):

Sri Lanka ◽

Medical Officer ◽

Sand Fly ◽

Parasite Development ◽

Morphological Identification ◽

Potential Candidate ◽

Sand Flies ◽

Phlebotomus Argentipes ◽

Antileishmanial Activities ◽

Potential Use

Phlebotomus argentipes is the main suspected vector for leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka. Investigations on the presence of aerobic bacteria in the gut of sand flies which evidence a potential approach to control leishmaniasis transmission through a paratransgenic strategy are still not available for the local sand fly populations. Field-caught unfed female sand flies collected from three selected Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas (Polpithigama, Maho, and Galgamuwa) in Kurunegala District, Sri Lanka from August to December 2018 were used. Prokaryotic 16S ribosomal RNA partial gene was amplified and sequenced. Morphological identification revealed the presence of only one sand fly species, P. argentipes (n=1,969). A total of 20 organisms belonging to two phyla (Proteobactericea and Furmicutes) were detected within the gut microbial community of the studied sand fly specimens. This study documents the first-ever observation of Rhizobium sp. in the midgut of P. argentipes. The presence of Bacillus megaterium, which is considered as a nonpathogenic bacterium with potential use for paratransgenic manipulation of P. argentipes suggest that it may be used as a delivery vehicle to block the vectorial transmission of Leishmania parasites. In addition, Serratia marcescens may be used as a potential candidate to block the parasite development in sand fly vectors since it has evidenced antileishmanial activities in previous investigations. Hence, further studies are required to gain full insight into the potential use of this bacterium in the control of Leishmania parasites through paratransgenesis.

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Molecular and biochemical characterization of a sand fly population from Sri Lanka: evidence for insecticide resistance due to altered esterases and insensitive acetylcholinesterase

Bulletin of Entomological Research ◽

10.1079/ber2005368 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 95 (4) ◽

pp. 371-380 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

S.N. Surendran ◽

S.H.P.P. Karunaratne ◽

Z. Adamsn ◽

J. Hemingway ◽

N.J. Hawkes

Keyword(s):

Sri Lanka ◽

Insecticide Resistance ◽

Biochemical Characterization ◽

Preliminary Evidence ◽

Resistance Mechanisms ◽

Sand Fly ◽

Cross Resistance ◽

Cytochrome P450 Monooxygenases ◽

Sand Flies

AbstractWith an increasing incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka, particularly in northern provinces, insecticide-mediated vector control is under consideration. Optimizing such a strategy requires the characterization of sand fly populations in target areas with regard to species composition and extant resistance, among other parameters. Sand flies were collected by human bait and cattle-baited net traps on Delft Island, used as an illegal transit location by many refugees returning to the north of Sri Lanka from southern India where leishmaniasis is endemic. For species identification, genomic DNA was extracted and a fragment of the ribosomal 18S gene amplified. The sequence from all flies analysed matched that of Phlebotomus argentipes Annandale & Brunetti, the primary vector in India and the most likely vector in Sri Lanka. Independent morphological analysis also identified P. argentipes. To establish the current susceptibility status of vector species, data were obtained at the biochemical level, from which potential cross-resistance to alternative insecticides can be predicted. The Delft Island collection was assayed for the activities of four enzyme systems involved in insecticide resistance (acetylcholinesterase, non-specific carboxylesterases, glutathione-S-transferases and cytochrome p450 monooxygenases), establishing baselines against which subsequent collections can be evaluated. There was preliminary evidence for elevated esterases and altered acetylcholinesterase in this population, the first report of these resistance mechanisms in sand flies to our knowledge, which probably arose from the malathion-based spraying regimes of the Anti-Malarial Campaign.

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Notes on the sand fly fauna (Diptera: Psychodidae) in a region of Brazil

Research Society and Development ◽

10.33448/rsd-v10i14.22480 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (14) ◽

pp. e596101422480

Author(s):

Paula Fassicolo Variza ◽

Thiago Nunes Pereira ◽

Joice Guilherme de Oliveira ◽

Millena Fernandes ◽

Daniel Moreira de Avelar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Urban Forest ◽

Control Measures ◽

Sand Fly ◽

Sand Flies ◽

Monitoring And Control ◽

Santa Catarina ◽

Leishmania Spp ◽

The Tropics ◽

And Control ◽

First Time

The family Psychodidae has a cosmopolitan distribution with members that occur in many habitats, mainly in humid environments, and is most diverse in the tropics. Subfamilies Sycoracinae and Phlebotominae have females with hematophagous habits and the latter studied more due to medical and veterinary interest, since it includes species that can transmit diseases to animals and humans. The knowledge about the sand fly fauna in a region is extremely important for adequate monitoring and control measures for leishmaniasis. Thus, the objective of this study was to characterize Psychodidae fauna in relation to richness, abundance and molecular identification of Leishmania spp. in sand flies in southern Santa Catarina, Brazil. The ollections were carried out between 2015 and 2016 in three cities in Santa Catarina, Brazil. Samples were taken near feeding places for domestic animals, urban forest and peridomicile areas. The insects were identified and female sand flies were submitted to molecular analysis to detect the presence of Leishmania spp.. A total of 4,200 insects were collected, 4,193 from the Sycoracinae subfamily and 7 Phlebotominae from the Nyssomyia neivai and Pintomyia fisheri species. Of the studied municipalities, sandflies were registered in Tubarão and Imaruí and the most frequent habitat was the peridomicile areas. No samples were positive for Leishmania spp. In conclusion, the work highlights the presence of two species of sandflies, which were recorded for the first time in southern Santa Catarina.

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Trypanosomatids in Phlebotomine Sand Flies (Diptera: Phlebotominae) From Anthropic and Sinantropic Landscapes in a Rural Settlement in the Brazilian Amazon

Journal of Medical Entomology ◽

10.1093/jme/tjab208 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

R C S Guimarães ◽

E F Marialva ◽

J A Feijó ◽

J W Pereira-Silva ◽

K M Martins-Campos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Natural Infection ◽

Species Abundance ◽

First Record ◽

Rural Settlement ◽

Sand Fly ◽

Sand Flies ◽

Forest Environment ◽

Genetic Sequencing ◽

Transmission Cycle ◽

Pcr Rflp

Abstract Trypanosomatids (Kinetoplastida:Trypanosomatidae) protozoa are a diverse group of obligate parasites. The genera Trypanosoma and Leishmania are the most studied because of their medical importance. This work aims to evaluate the effects of anthropization processes on the composition of the phlebotomine sand fly fauna and the natural infection by Trypanosomatids, with emphasis on Leishmania. At all 3,186 sand flies were collected, distributed in 13 genera and 52 species, being Ny. umbratilis the most abundant species. There was no difference in the diversity between canopy and soil environments. The species abundance and richness were higher in the forest environment while species diversity and evenness were highest in the forest edge. The ITS1 region was used by PCR-RFLP to identify the fragment profiles of Leishmania species, followed by genetic sequencing. Here were analyzed 100 pools of female sand flies, being six positive for DNA parasite. PCR-RFLP fragment patterns similar to Endotrypanum sp. were observed in Nyssomyia anduzei, Psychodopygus amazonensis and Lutzomyia gomezi, and those fragments similar to Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis were observed in Bichromomyia flaviscutellata. ITS1 sequencing confirmed the presence of Leishmania sp. in Bi. flaviscutellata, and Leishmania (Viannia) naiffi in Ny. anduzei, Psychodopygus amazonensis, and Lu. gomezi. This is the first record of Lu. gomezi and Ps. amazonensis infection by L. naiffi in the State of Amazonas. These results show the trypanosomatid infection in sandflies from different landscapes in a rural settlement, and the finding of species infected with L.(V.) naiffi suggest that they can develop a role in the transmission cycle of leishmaniasis.

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Diversity, Co-Occurrence, and Nestedness Patterns of Sand Fly Species (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Two Rural Areas of Western Panamá

Insects ◽

10.3390/insects12020113 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 113

Author(s):

Chystrie A. Rigg ◽

Milixa Perea ◽

Kadir González ◽

Azael Saldaña ◽

José E. Calzada ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Species Richness ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Rainy Season ◽

Land Use Changes ◽

Species Abundance ◽

Abundant Species ◽

Sand Fly ◽

Sand Flies ◽

Seasonal Weather

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis transmission in the New World is observed in areas with rich sand fly species’ faunas. The diversity and composition of sand fly species can change in response to seasonal weather and land use changes. Here, we present results from a two-year-long study where we collected, using Centers for Disease Control (CDC) light traps, sand flies from two rural areas, Las Pavas (LP) and Trinidad de las Minas (T) in western Panamá. Over 710 trap-nights, we collected 16,156 sand flies from 15 genera and 35 species. We identified 34 species in T, and the most abundant species collected was Nyssomyia trapidoi (Fairchild and Hertig, 1952) (n = 2278, 37%), followed by Psychodopygus panamensis (Shannon, 1926) (n = 1112, 18%), and Trichopygomyia triramula (Fairchild and Hertig, 1952) (n = 1063, 17%). In LP, we identified 26 species, and the most abundant species collected were Ty. triramula (n = 4729, 48%), and Ps. panamensis (n = 3444, 35%). We estimated a higher species’ richness in T (Chao2 ± S.E.: 36.58 ± 3.84) than in LP (27.49 ± 2.28). In T, species’ richness was significantly higher in the rainy season, but no seasonal differences were observed in LP. Species’ assemblages were nested in the two areas. Phlebotomine sand fly species’ abundance increased at the two sites during the rainy season. Our data suggest that seasonality is more important than land use as a factor driving sand fly species’ diversity at the studied sites.

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Risk Assessment of the Role of the Ecotones in the Transmission of Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Central Tunisia

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18179274 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (17) ◽

pp. 9274

Author(s):

Walid Barhoumi ◽

Ifhem Chelbi ◽

Wasfi Fares ◽

Sami Zhioua ◽

Mohamed Abbas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽

Leishmania Major ◽

Etiologic Agent ◽

Control Measures ◽

Sand Fly ◽

Main Peak ◽

Sand Flies ◽

Central Tunisia ◽

Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽

Significant Difference

Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL), endemic in Central and Southern Tunisia, is caused by Leishmania major (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae), which is transmitted by the sand fly Phlebotomus papatasi. In Tunisia, the fat sand rat Psammomys obesus and the desert jird Meriones shawi are the principal reservoir hosts of L. major. The presence of the P. papatasi vector of the L. major etiologic agent of ZCL was assessed in the vicinity of villages in endemic areas of Central Tunisia. The study was performed from September through October 2019, a period corresponding to the main peak of activity of P. papatasi. Sand flies were collected from rodent burrows located at the ecotone level, which is the transition zone between the natural environment and human settlement. Sand flies were identified to species level and tested for the presence of L. major by PCR. Our entomological survey showed that P. papatasi is the most abundant sand fly species associated with rodent burrows, and this abundance is even higher in ecotones primarily occupied by P. obesus in comparison to ecotones occupied by M. shawi. Infections with Leishmania major were detected only in P. papatasi, with an overall minimum infection rate (MIR) of 2.64%. No significant difference was observed between the MIRs in ecotones of P. obesus and of M. shawi. Incidence of ZCL in the studied areas ranged from 200 to 700 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, with a mean incidence of 385.41 per 100,000. Higher ZCL incidence was identified in ecotones of M. shawi compared to ecotones of P. obesus. ZCL cases are positively correlated with the MIRs. Considering the short flight range of P. papatasi, increases in its densities associated with burrows of P. obesus or M. shawi at the ecotone level expand the overlap of infected vectors with communities and subsequently increase ZCL incidence. Therefore, control measures should target P. papatasi populations at the ecotones.

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

Baghdad Science Journal ◽

10.21123/bsj.2020.17.3.0754 ◽

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.

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Leishmania infection and blood sources analysis in Phlebotomus chinensis (Diptera: Psychodidae) along extension region of the Loess Plateau, China

10.21203/rs.3.rs-31530/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Hanming Chen ◽

Huiying Chen ◽

Feng Tao ◽

Jingpeng Gao ◽

Kaili Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Loess Plateau ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Leishmania Donovani ◽

Control Measures ◽

Sand Fly ◽

Leishmania Infection ◽

Sand Flies ◽

The Loess Plateau ◽

Specific Antibodies ◽

Asymptomatic Patients

Abstract Background Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) was one of the most important parasitic diseases in China, caused by Leishmania protozoans and transmitted by sand flies. Recently VL cases have reappeared in China, including the extension region of the Loess Plateau. The purpose of this study was to collect fundamental data on the host-vector VL system in the Loess Plateau to assist in the development of prevention and control measures.Methods Sand flies were collected by light traps from rural areas in Shanxian, Henan, China in 2015, as well as in Wuxiang and Yangquan, Shanxi, China in 2017. The blood sources of sand flies were analyzed by PCR detecting the host-specific mitochondrial cytochrome b (mtDNA Cyt b) gene fragments. Leishmania infection in sand flies was detected by amplifying and sequencing ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1). The Leishmania specific antibodies in the sera of local dogs were detected by ELISA kit. Results Blood sources showed diversity in the extension region of the Loess Plateau, including human, chicken, dog, cattle, pig and goat. Multiple blood sources within a sand fly were observed in samples from Yangquan (17/118, 14.4%) and Wuxiang (12/108, 11.1%). Leishmania DNA was detected in sand flies collected from Yangquan with minimum infection rate of 1.00%. The ITS1 sequences were conserved with the Leishmania donovani complex. The positive rate of Leishmania specific antibodies in dogs was 5.97%. Conclusions This study detected the blood sources and Leishmania parasites infection of sand flies by molecular methods in the extension region of Loess Plateau, China. A high epidemic risk of leishmaniasis is currently indicated by the results as the infection of Leishmania in sand flies, the extensive blood sources of sand flies including humans, and positive antibody of Leishmania in local dog sera. Given the recent increase of VL cases, asymptomatic patients, dogs and other potential infected animals should be screened and treated. Furthermore, the density of sand flies needs to be controlled and personal protection should be strengthened.

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Phlebotomine sand flies (Psychodidae: Diptera) of Sri Lanka: a review on diversity, biology and bionomics

Journal of Insect Biodiversity ◽

10.12976/jib/2019.11.2.2 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 41-58 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

THARAKA WIJERATHNA ◽

NAYANA GUNATHILAKA

Keyword(s):

Sri Lanka ◽

Sand Fly ◽

Complete List ◽

Sand Flies ◽

Local Distribution ◽

Phlebotomine Sand Flies ◽

The World ◽

Global And Local

Phlebotomine sand flies are medically important insects widespread throughout the world and responsible for the transmission of several diseases to humans and other animals including leishmaniasis and sand fly fever. In Sri Lanka, a total of 22 species of sand flies belonging to two genera, namely: Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia, have been recorded with 6 and 16 species, respectively. The current study reports a complete list of the species of sand flies reported from Sri Lanka with a review on global and local distribution, biology and bionomics of each species as per published literature up to June 2018. Keywords: Sand fly, distribution, Psychodidae, Phlebotominae

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Integrative Approach to Phlebotomus mascittii Grassi, 1908: First Record in Vienna with New Morphological and Molecular Insights

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens9121032 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. 1032

Author(s):

Edwin Kniha ◽

Vít Dvořák ◽

Petr Halada ◽

Markus Milchram ◽

Adelheid G. Obwaller ◽

...

Keyword(s):

First Record ◽

Protein Profiling ◽

Sand Fly ◽

Integrative Approach ◽

Marker Genes ◽

Morphological Identification ◽

Sand Flies ◽

Maldi Tof Ms ◽

Maldi Tof ◽

Tof Ms

Sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) are blood-feeding insects that transmit the protozoan parasites Leishmania spp. and various arthropod-borne (arbo) viruses. While in Mediterranean parts of Europe the sand fly fauna is diverse, in Central European countries including Austria mainly Phlebotomus mascittii is found, an assumed but unproven vector of Leishmania infantum. To update the currently understudied sand fly distribution in Austria, a sand fly survey was performed and other entomological catches were screened for sand flies. Seven new trapping locations of Ph. mascittii are reported including the first record in Vienna, representing also one of the first findings of this species in a city. Morphological identification, supported by fluorescence microscopy, was confirmed by two molecular approaches, including sequencing and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) protein profiling. Sand fly occurrence and activity were evaluated based on surveyed locations, habitat requirements and climatic parameters. Moreover, a first comparison of European Ph. mascittii populations was made by two marker genes, cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI), and cytochrome b (cytb), as well as MALDI-TOF mass spectra. Our study provides new important records of Ph. mascittii in Austria and valuable data for prospective entomological surveys. MALDI-TOF MS protein profiling was shown to be a reliable tool for differentiation between sand fly species. Rising temperatures and globalization demand for regular entomological surveys to monitor changes in species distribution and composition. This is also important with respect to the possible vector competence of Ph. mascittii.

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