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Habitat preference and seasonal variations of phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera, Psychodidae) in Marigat Area, Baringo District, Kenya

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

M. Basimike ,
M. J. Mutinga  and
R. Kumar
M. Basimike
Affiliation:
The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), P. O. Box 30772, Nairobi, Kenya
M. J. Mutinga
Affiliation:
The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), P. O. Box 30772, Nairobi, Kenya
R. Kumar
Affiliation:
Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
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Abstract

A number of natural and man-made habitats in Marigat area of Kenya were surveyed for sandflies in 1985/86. Of the 98,573 adult sandflies collected, 2.7 % belonged to the genus Phlebotomus and 97.3% to Sergentomyia. Relative abundance of sandflies of the genus Phlebotomus was four times higher in burrows than in termite hills, while sandflies of the genus Sergentomyia collected from termite hills were twice as numerous as those from burrows. Termite hills had the highest sandfly population compared to other sites, followed by tree holes and animal burrows. Fifteen species were identified, of which five belonged to Phlebotomus and 10 to Sergentomyia. The most abundant and widespread species were Sergentomyia antennatus, S. bedfordi, S. ingrami, Phlebotomus martini, S. schwetzi, S. africanus and P. duboscqi. Sandflies of both genera were present for the greater part of the year. Most species of sandflies decreased in numbers during the dry season. High population densities of sandflies were recorded during the wet period. Correlations between relative abundance of sandfly vectors of leishmaniases and rainfall were positive. However, none of the correlation coefficients was statistically significant.

Résumé

Une enquête effectuée dans des endroits naturels et artificiels dans la iocalité de Marigat (Kenya) au cours des années 1985/86 avait révélé la presence de 2,7% de phlébotomes du genre Phlebotomus et 97,3% du genre Sergentomyia. La densité relative des phlébotomes du genre Phlebotomus était quatre fois plus grande dans des terriers d'animaux que dans des termitières, par contre celle du genre Sergentomyia retrouvée dans des termitières était deux fois plus éievée que celle rencontrée dans des terriers. Une population plus élevée de phlébotomes était observée dans les tertnitières, les trous d'arbres et les terriers.

Parmi les quinze espèces de phlébotomes, cinq espèces appartenaient au genre Phlebotomus et dix au genre Sergentomyia. Les espèces les plus abondantes et largement distribuées ont été Sergentomyia antennatus, S. bedfordi, S. ingrami, Phlebotomus martini, S. sch wetzi, S. africanus et P. duboscqi. Une population élevée de phlébotome était observée pendant la saison humide. Des corrélations positive étaient observées entre les populations de phlébotomes vectrices de la leishmaniose et la quantité de pluies tombées dans la région. Cependant, aucune de ces correlations étaient statistiquement significative.

Keywords

Collecting sitessandfliesPhlebotomusSergentomyiarelative abundanceseasonal variationEndroitde capturephlébotomesPhlebotomusSergentomyiaabondance relativevariations saisonières
Type
Research Articles
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 13 , Issue 3 , June 1992 , pp. 307 - 314
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1992

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