Psychodidae

In this study, 27 CDC traps were modified with various attractive features and compared with a CDC trap with no light source or baits to evaluate the effects on attraction to Phlebotomus papatasi (Scopoli) north of the Dead Sea near Jericho. Attractive features included CO2, lights, colored trap bodies, heat, moisture, chemical lures and different combinations of the same. Traps were placed 20m apart and rotated from one trap location to the next after 24h trapping periods. The most significant attractive feature was CO2, which attracted more sand flies than any other feature evaluated. Ultraviolet light was the next most attractive feature, followed by incandescent light. When evaluated alone, black or white trap bodies, heat and moisture, all influenced trap catch but effects were greater when these attractive features were used together. The results of this study suggest that traps with CO2 and UV light could be used in batteries as control interventions if suitable CO2 sources b...

Genes involved in the reproductive isolation are particularly useful as molecular markers in speciation studies. Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae), a putative species complex, is a vector of visceral leishmaniasis in Latin America. We isolated from this species a fragment homologous to cacophony, a Drosophila gene that encodes features of the lovesong, an acoustic signal that is important in the sexual isolation of closely related species and known to vary considerably among L. longipalpis putative siblings species. Using an intron of the sandfly cacophony as a marker, we analyzed the molecular variation and sequence divergence among five populations of L. longipalpis from Brazil, three allopatric (Jacobina, Lapinha and Natal) and two putative sympatric sibling species from the locality of Sobral. A high level of polymorphism was found and analysis of the data indicates that very little gene flow is occurring among the populations of Jacobina, Lapinha, and Natal. A high level of differentiation was also observed between the two putative sympatric species of Sobral, one of which seems to be the same sibling species found in Natal, while the other is somewhat more related to Jacobina and Lapinha. However, the amount of estimated gene flow among the Sobral siblings is about seven times higher than the previously estimated for period, another lovesong gene, perhaps indicating that introgression might be affecting cacophony more than period. The results suggest that L. longipalpis is not a single species in Brazil, but it is yet not clear whether the different populations studied deserve species status rather than representing an incipient speciation process.

Historically, Telmatoscopus Eaton, 1904 has been a nomenclaturally and taxonomically problematic taxon as different authors have used different type species to define their concepts of the genus. Here it is shown that Pericoma advena Eaton, 1893 is the valid type species rather than Pericoma morula Eaton, 1893. Furthermore, the genus Seoda Enderlein, 1935 is revived for the genus comprising Pericoma labeculosa Eaton, 1893, P. morula and their relatives. The differences between Telmatoscopus and Seoda are described in detail based on historical and freshly collected material of the three putative type species. Four new synonymies are proposed: Panimerus havelkai Wagner, 1975 and Telmatoscopus seguyi Vaillant, 1990 are synonymized with Telmatoscopus advena, and Telmatoscopus incanus Nielsen, 1964 and Telmatoscopus vaillanti Withers, 1986 are synonymized with Seoda morula. A potential phylogenetic pattern in the male genital sclerites is discussed in detail. In Telmatoscopus, the jointed appendages of the gonocoxally derived parameral complex are separate small sclerites found near the bases of the distiphallic lobes of the aedeagus. In Seoda, they are fused medially to form a small, moveable triangular or arrow-shaped sclerite. Medial parameral sclerite fusion in Psychodinae is otherwise known to occur only in Pericomaini and the paramormiine genus Psychomasina Ježek, 2004; however, many genera of Paramormiini show an apparently intermediate condition where the parameres are fused in one end to form a V-or U-shaped "furca". It is hypothesized that Paramormiini is para-phyletic with respect to Pericomaini, as suggested in a previous phylogenetic hypothesis based on molecular data.

Zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by Leishmania infantum is transmitted from dogs to humans by sand flies and Lutzomyia longipalpis is a major vector of this disease. We studied the antibody response in dogs experimentally exposed to L. longipalpis females to characterize sand fly salivary antigens recognized by canine sera and to find out whether the level of specific anti-saliva antibodies reflects the intensity of exposure. Sera from repeatedly bitten dogs revealed up to six salivary protein bands with approximate molecular weight of 66, 55, 45, 37-39, 34, and 25 kDa in L. longipalpis salivary gland lysate. Anti-saliva immunoglobin (Ig) G and its subclasses were found to be useful markers of exposure to sand flies. Specific IgG, IgG1, and IgG2 were related to numbers of bloodfed L. longipalpis females, and increased antibody levels were detectable throughout the study, i.e. more than 6 months after the last exposure. In contrast, specific IgE response developed in some ...

In the district of Paracambi, State of Rio de Janeiro an epidemiological survey for American tegumentary leishmaniasis in canine population was carried out in endemic localities. A total of 179 dogs was registered and 138 (77.1%) examined for their clinical aspects, development of delayed hypersensitivity (DHS) with Imunoleish® antigen and serological responses by indirect immunofluorescent reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In 9 (6.5%) dogs with active cutaneous lesions or suspect scars, 66.7% were caused by Leishmania sp; 44.4% produced infection in hamsters and showed growth in culture media, which was considered to be compatible with the species of Leishmania braziliensis complex. The molecular characterization (isoenzyme and KDNA restriction profiles) defined two strains with similar profiles for L. (Viannia) braziliensis. The prevalence of canine infection estimated by the cutaneous test, IFR and ELISA was 10.1%, 16.7% and 27.8%, respectively. The presence of clinical / sub-clinical form of ATL in canine population associated with human infections suggested that the dog can act as source of infection as well as for dissemination of the disease.

Objective: In this study, the midgut of the sand flies investigated with direct method for the presence of parasites and other organisms.
Methods: Wild sand flies collected in Kuşadası Town-Aydın, were dissected and midgut contents were examined by light microscopy. After
midgut dissection, the head and genitalia of sand fly specimens were clarified and mounted for species identification.
Result: During the study, a total of 1027 sand flies were dissected. Eight and two species belonging to Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia
genera were determined, respectively. Phlebotomus tobbi was found to be most abundant species (61.34%). A third stage of infective
Entomopathogen Nematode belonging to Steinernematidae family was observed in the hemocoel of one specimen of P. tobbi during the
dissection process.
Conclusion: This is the first finding related to entomopathogen nematodes found in sand flies in Turkey. In the study, the sand fly fauna was
determined in Kuşadası Town. For the control of sand flies, entomopathogenic nematodes which are not harmful for non-target organisms,
can be used instead of chemical insecticides that can cause unknown damage in the enviroment. (Turkiye Parazitol Derg 2013; 37: 36-9)
Key Words: Sand fly, Phlebotomus tobbi, Entomopathogen Nematode, Kuşadası, Turkey

The Leishmania protozoan parasites cause devastating human diseases. Leishmania have been considered to replicate clonally, without genetic exchange. However, an accumulation of evidence indicates that there are inter-specific and intra-specific hybrids among natural populations. The first and so far only experimental proof of genetic exchange was obtained in 2009 when double drug resistant Leishmania major hybrids were produced by co-infecting sand flies with two strains carrying different drug resistance markers. However, the location and timing of hybridisation events in sand flies has not been described. Here we have co-infected Phlebotomus perniciosus and Lutzomyia longipalpis with transgenic promastigotes of Leishmania donovani strains carrying hygromycin or neomycin resistance genes and red or green fluorescent markers. Fed females were dissected at different times post bloodmeal (PBM) and examined by fluorescent microscopy or fluorescent activated cell sorting (FACS) followe...

Toscana virus (Bunyaviridae family, Phlebovirus genus) is a sandfly fever virus responsible for human neurological infections. Sandfly viruses are transmitted by insect vectors (Phlebotomus species) and the infection is present in climatic areas that allow the life cycle of the vector. The arthropode-borne Toscana virus is the etiologic agent of meningitis, meningoencephalitis, and encephalitis. The frequency of this neuropathic infection increases in the summer months, peaking in August in the endemic Mediterranean areas (Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Cyprus). Infection diagnosis is carried out by molecular assays and immunoenzymatic tests, which are rapid and sensitive. Recent studies have investigated the antigenic properties of the viral proteins (nucleoprotein N and surface glycoproteins G1 and G2), to better understand their immunogentic role.

Reported are the results of a study of the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) about kala-azar of the inhabitants of two villages (Titaria and Haraincha) situated in terai (plain) areas of Nepal. The villagers had poor knowledge about the transmission of kala-azar, with most villagers perceiving that mosquitos, instead of sandflies, were responsible for transmission of the infection. Most also failed to recognize the common symptoms of kala-azar. The majority of the respondents, 78.9% in Titaria and 48.4% in Haraincha, were aware that the condition can be treated, while fewer than 2% believed that it cannot be treated at all. More than 58% of villagers in Titaria and 36.8% in Haraincha used bednets. The residents of both villages were highly responsive to a programme to spray houses with insecticides. Fewer than 5% of respondents slept outdoors in farm outhouses and these individuals did not take any personal vector control measures. The results of this study show the importanc...

A trypanosomatid (Trypanosomatidae: Kinetoplastida) associated with a blood-filled female sand fly in Cretaceous Burmese amber, is described in the new genus and species, Paleoleishmania proterus. The genus Paleoleishmania is established as a collective genus for digenetic fossil trypanosomes associated with sand flies. Amastigotes, promastigotes and paramastigotes are described. Paleoleishmania proterus is the first fossil kinetoplastid and provides a minimum age for the digenetic Trypanosomatidae. Its discovery indicates that vector-borne pathogens had been established by the Early Cretaceous.

Antileishmanial immune response is shown to be host genotype dependent so that some inbred strains of mouse are susceptible while others are resistant. The resistance is conferred by T-helper type-1 (Th1) cells while the susceptibility is conferred by Th2 cells. Th1 cells secrete IL-2 and IFN-gamma but Th2 cells secrete IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10. It has been shown that IFN-gamma activates macrophages to express iNOS2, the enzyme catalyzing the formation of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide kills the intracellular amastigotes. In contrast, Th2 immune response limits the action of Th1 functions via IL-10 and IL-4, which deactivate macrophages helping intracellular parasite growth and disease progression. Being a parasite, Leishmania ensures its own survival by modulating host immune system either by inducing immunosuppression or by promoting pro-parasitic host functions. A detailed knowledge of this host-parasite interaction would help in designing prophylactic and therapeutic strategies against this infection.

The recently recognized endemic focus of leishmaniasis in Satluj river valley in Himachal Pradesh (India) lies in north-western Himalayas (30 degrees N, 70 degrees E). This endemic focus of leishmaniasis appears peculiar where localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) co-exists with visceral leishmaniasis (VL), and Leishmania donovani is predominant pathogen for LCL whereas only a few cases have been due to Leishmania tropica. This study was carried out to collect sandflies, identify and delineate their habitat and role in transmission of human leishmaniasis in this endemic focus. During June 2003 to September 2007, 142 (M-22, F-120) sandflies were collected with aspirators from 10 endemic villages of Kinnaur and Shimla districts. Sixty-two of the identified sandflies caught belonged to the genus Phlebotomus species, including some species that are known to act as vectors of the parasites causing human leishmaniasis. The Phlebotomus (Adlerius) chinensis longiductus (Parrot), 1928 (28 ...

A new flavivirus Ecuador Paraiso Escondido virus (EPEV), named after the village where it was discovered, was isolated from Psathyromyia abonnenci (formerly Lutzomyia abonnenci) that are unique to the New World. This represents the first sandfly-borne flavivirus identified in the New World and, as will be shown, EPEV exhibited a typical flavivirus genome organization. Nevertheless, the maximum pairwise amino acid identity was 52.8% with currently recognised flaviviruses. Phylogenetic analysis of the complete coding sequence showed that EPEV represented a distinct clade which diverged from a lineage that was ancestral to the non-vectored flaviviruses, Entebbe bat virus, Yokose virus, Sokoluk virus and also the Aedes-spp.-associated mosquito-borne flaviviruses which include yellow fever virus, Sepik virus, Saboya virus and others. EPEV replicated in C6/36 mosquito cells yielding high infectious titres but failed to reproduce in either vertebrate cell lines (Vero, BHK, SW13, and XTC) o...

Psychodini is redefined based on morphological characters and newly recognized homologies in the male genitalia. It is
hypothesised that the ground-plan aedeagus of Psychodini consists of a symmetrical bipartite aedeagus flanked by paired,
symmetrical parameres; which in many lineages have become asymmetrical via the differentiation of phallomeres and
parameres and/or via reduction of one paramere. The Afrotropical genera of Psychodini are reviewed and a key for their identification is provided.
Perithreticus Vaillant, 1973 is recorded from Tanzania based on the new species Perithreticus anderseni sp. nov.
The genus is redefined, characterised by an elongate symmetrical aedeagus with paired subtriangular parameres, and a broad M-shaped epiproct with a concave anterior margin. Soeliella gen. nov. is described to include Soeliella platypenis
sp. nov.; characterised by the presence of paired subtriangular parameres and the distiphallic elements broadly fused into
a spatulate plate. Rhipidopsychoda Vaillant, 1991 is raised from synonymy based on novel character interpretations.
Rhipidopsychoda boettgeri (Wagner, 1979) comb. nov. is redescribed and a key to the world species is presented. The
species Psychoda bilobata Quate, 1957 and Psychoda trilobata Quate, 1957, Psychoda morogorica Wagner & Andersen,
2007 and Philosepedon triangularis Eaton, 1913 are of dubious generic placement and need revision.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), a vector-borne disease caused by protozoan flagellates of the genus Leishmania, is transmitted by sand flies. After malaria, VL is the second-largest parasitic killer, responsible for an estimated 500,000 infections and 51,000 deaths annually worldwide. Mathematical models proposed for VL have included the impact of dogs versus wild canids in disease dissemination and models developed to assist in control approaches. However, quantitative conditions that are required to control or eradicate VL transmission are not provided and there are no mathematical methods proposed to quantitatively calculate optimal control strategies for VL transmission. The research objective of this work was to model VL disease transmission system (specifically Zoonotic VL), perform bifurcation analysis to discuss control conditions, and calculate optimal control strategies. Three time-dependent control strategies involving dog populations, sand fly population, and humans are mainly discussed. Another strategy sometimes used in attempts to control zoonotic VL transmission, dog culling, is also evaluated in this paper.

High throughput sequencing (HTS) boosted the discovery of novel viruses and new variants of known viruses. Here we investigated the presence of viruses in 12 pools of sand flies captured in three climatic periods in RAPELD grids at Rio Claro, Chapada dos Guimarães and at Pirizal, North Pantanal, Mato Grosso State, Midwestern Brazil by HTS, viral isolation of a putative Phlebovirus positive pool in Vero cells, RT-PCR and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). One pool containing three Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) longipalpis sand flies captured in the transitional climatic period in North Pantanal showed a tripartite genomic sequence of a putative novel Phlebovirus belonging to the phlebotomus fever serogroup. Phylogenetic analysis revealed this virus is closely related and share a common ancestor with phleboviruses included in the same clade: Chagres, Urucuri and Uriurana virus. RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) presented 60%, 59% and 58% of amino-acid (aa) similarity with these phlebov...