Sandfly research unit in Montego Bay, Jamaica

ABSTRACT

Prior to 1960 the main biting nuisance in the Montego Bay area was caused by the swamp sandflies culicoides furens and culicoides barboai. Filling the swamps with sand, whilst eliminating these two species, encouraged the development of a hitherto little-known species (leptoconops bequaerti) whose nuisance value soon exceed that of the original species. The discovery of the breeding sites of this sandfly in 1962 enabled its distribution to be studied and treatment with insecticide started. The limited nature of the breeding grounds shows good prospects for environmental control in the future (AU)