Sandflies on the island of Corfu, Greece

Parasite. 1998 Dec;5(4):387-91. doi: 10.1051/parasite/1998054387.

Abstract

The island of Corfu is an endemic area of human leishmaniasis, mainly visceral and secondly cutaneous. In August 1996, a survey of phlebotomine sandflies was conducted throughout the whole island. Using castor-oil paper traps, a total of 2,615 sandflies were caught. The following species were identified: 450 (17.21%) Phlebotomus neglectus, 213 (8.15%) P. tobbi, 129 (4.93%) P. perfiliewi, 12 (0.46%) P. sergenti, 11 (0.42%) P. simici, 4 (0.15%) P. papatasi, 999 (38.20%) Sergentomyia minuta and 797 (30.48%) S. dentata. Among the potential vectors of Leishmania spp., P. neglectus, P. tobbi and P. perfiliewi, were the most widespread species on the island. However, a decrease of the population density of sandflies compared to previous entomological studies was observed.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Greece
  • Insect Vectors / growth & development*
  • Leishmaniasis / transmission
  • Male
  • Psychodidae / growth & development*
  • Sex Ratio