Sandflies

Taxonomic classification

• Class: Insecta

• Order: Diptera

• Phlebotomus spp.in the Old World Lutzomyia spp. (New World )

Morphology

• Adults - small (less than 5 mm long), slender with piercing mouthparts and long antennae; wing veins are parallel to each other

Life cycle

Life cycle (stages)

• Eggs are laid in dark humid animal burrows, cracks or crevices, or under dead leaves

• There are 4 larval instars, the larval stage lasting a total of 4-6 weeks

• The pupa requires 10 days for development • LC requires 40-50 days• Only adult females suck blood • Adult life span 2-3 weeks, 30-50 eggs/female.

Habits

• Only female sandflies are blood sucker and they are nocturnal feeders.

• They are poor flier and fly in a characteristic hopping, 30-1000 m, not over 200 m.

• Prevalent from May to September. Larvae survive through the winter.

Sandflies and Diseases

• Transmit Leishmania spp. of humans and dogs,

• Carrion's disease ( Bartonella bacilliformis ),

• Viruses: sandfly fever

Control

• 1. Elimination of breeding grounds

• 2. Application of insecticides.

• 3. Personal protection.