Ecological Aspects of Phlebotomine Sand Flies (Diptera, Psychodidae, Phlebotominae) in Areas of American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, in the Municipality of Paraty, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I-Index of Abundance by Location and Type of Capture

A three-year study in Paraty, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, identified Lutzomyia intermedia as the primary vector of Leishmania braziliensis, a parasite causing diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis. The research, which collected 102,937 sand flies using various trapping methods, found that Lu. intermedia was most abundant inside homes and on their exteriors, while Lutzomyia fischeri also played a role in domestic environments. Lutzomyia migonei showed a strong affinity for kennels, suggesting its preference for canine habitats. Additionally, Lutzomyia whitmani exhibited signs of adaptation to anthropic environments, particularly near forest edges. The study highlights the ecological complexity of sand fly populations and their role in leishmaniasis transmission within both domestic and wild settings.

Vieira, V. R., Azevedo, A. C. R., Alves, J. R. C., Guimarães, A. E., & Aguiar, G. M. (2015). Ecological Aspects of Phlebotomine Sand Flies (Diptera, Psychodidae, Phlebotominae) in Areas of American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, in the Municipality of Paraty, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I-Index of Abundance by Location and Type of Capture. Journal of Medical Entomology, 52(5), 886–895. https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjv105