Sciopemyia sordellii in the Neotropical region: distribution, biology, and ecology.

The species Sciopemyia sordellii (Diptera, Phlebotominae) is widely distributed throughout the American continent. This raises doubts about their identity as a single biological entity and points to the occurrence of species complex. Here, we review the geographic distribution of S. sordellii in the Neotropical region, as well as data on its biology and ecology. Records were obtained from literature and from specimens deposited in biological collections. In total, 149 records were analysed, from 12 countries in America. However, after taxonomic revision, some specimens were wrongly identified as S. sordellii, especially those from Peru, putting in doubt the occurrence of the species in that country. In Brazil, it has been recorded in all five geographic regions and collected in different biomes, besides to other ecotypes such as caves. Furthermore, its presence in an anthropized environment has also been reported. Some studies have also diagnosed Leishmania DNA in S. sordellii, indicating that parasite circulation is being maintained between the reservoir hosts. The data evaluated in our study allowed us to provide updated information on the distribution of S. sordellii in America, which may be useful in the taxonomy of this species.

Incipient colonisation of Lutzomyia longipalpis in the city of Resistencia, province of Chaco, Argentina (2010-2012).

Lutzomyia longipalpis was recorded for the first time in Argentina in 2004, in the province of Formosa. In the following years, the vector spread to the south and west in the country and was recorded in the province of Chaco in 2010. From November 2010-May 2012, captures of Phlebotominae were made in the city of Resistencia and its surroundings, to monitor the spread and possible colonisation of Lu. longipalpis in the province of Chaco. In this monitoring, Lu. longipalpis was absent in urban sampling sites and its presence was restricted to Barrio de los Pescadores. This suggests that the incipient colonisation observed in 2010 was not followed by continuous installation of vector populations and expansion of their spatial distribution as in other urban centres of Argentina.

Identification of the natural breeding sites of sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae), potential vectors of leishmaniasis, in the province of Chaco, Argentina.

The aim of this work was to identify the natural breeding sites of sandflies in the province of Chaco, Argentina, for the first time. Preliminary studies were conducted in two different phytogeographic regions: dry Chaco (Parque Provincial Pampa del Indio), in January 2010, and humid Chaco (Resistencia, Margarita Belén and Colonia Benítez), from May-September 2010. A total of 127 samples were collected (Pampa del Indio: 15, Resistencia: 37, Margarita Belén: 36, Colonia Benítez: 39). A female of Migonemyia migonei was found in Pampa del Indio at the base of a bromeliad in the summer (January) and a pupal exuvium of a phlebotomine fly was found in Resistencia, in a place where dogs rested, in the winter (July). These findings highlighted these two sites as potential breeding sites. Because the existence of potential natural breeding sites for sandflies has been demonstrated in both forest and periurban areas, expanding the search efforts and characterising these sites will enable the development of specific study designs to gain insight into the spatial distribution of the risks posed by these vectors. The resulting information will serve as a basis for proposing and evaluating vector control measures.

Update of the Phlebotominae Fauna with New Records for Argentina and Observations on Leishmaniasis Transmission Scenarios at a Regional Scale.

Phlebotominae are small insects distributed in the Americas from Canada to Argentina and Uruguay, counting with more than 500 neotropical species. Some of them have a vectorial role in the transmission of Leishmania Ross, the causative agent of leishmaniases, a group of worldwide distributed diseases with different clinical manifestations and transmission cycles. Our aim was to update the Phlebotominae fauna of Argentina and to make observations on the American Cutaneous (ACL) and Visceral Leishmaniasis (AVL) transmission scenarios, according to the distribution of proven or suspected Leishmania vector species and recent changes in land use. Primary data (entomological captures) and secondary data (review of 65 scientific publications with Phlebotominae records) were used. With 9 new records, 46 Phlebotominae species are now recorded through the area comprising 14 political jurisdictions and 6 phytogeographic provinces. Distribution maps were constructed for the 5 proven or incriminated Leishmania vector species, and the evidence supporting the vectorial incrimination of these species is discussed. Three main ACL transmission scenarios are described in the phytogeographic provinces of the Yungas, Chaco, and Paranaense, associated with deforestation processes, while the transmission scenarios of AVL are urban outbreaks and scattered cases in rural areas. We update the available knowledge on the Phlebotominae fauna present in Argentina, emphasizing its epidemiological relevance in the current context of the increasing frequency of ACL outbreaks and geographic spread of AVL.

Incipient colonisation of Lutzomyia longipalpis in the city of Resistencia, province of Chaco, Argentina (2010-2012)

Lutzomyia longipalpis was recorded for the first time in Argentina in 2004, in the province of Formosa. In the following years, the vector spread to the south and west in the country and was recorded in the province of Chaco in 2010. From November 2010-May 2012, captures of Phlebotominae were made in the city of Resistencia and its surroundings, to monitor the spread and possible colonisation of Lu. longipalpis in the province of Chaco. In this monitoring, Lu. longipalpis was absent in urban sampling sites and its presence was restricted to Barrio de los Pescadores. This suggests that the incipient colonisation observed in 2010 was not followed by continuous installation of vector populations and expansion of their spatial distribution as in other urban centres of Argentina.

Identification of the natural breeding sites of sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae), potential vectors of leishmaniasis, in the province of Chaco, Argentina

The aim of this work was to identify the natural breeding sites of sandflies in the province of Chaco, Argentina, for the first time. Preliminary studies were conducted in two different phytogeographic regions: dry Chaco (Parque Provincial Pampa del Indio), in January 2010, and humid Chaco (Resistencia, Margarita Belén and Colonia Benítez), from May-September 2010. A total of 127 samples were collected (Pampa del Indio: 15, Resistencia: 37, Margarita Belén: 36, Colonia Benítez: 39). A female of Migonemyia migonei was found in Pampa del Indio at the base of a bromeliad in the summer (January) and a pupal exuvium of a phlebotomine fly was found in Resistencia, in a place where dogs rested, in the winter (July). These findings highlighted these two sites as potential breeding sites. Because the existence of potential natural breeding sites for sandflies has been demonstrated in both forest and periurban areas, expanding the search efforts and characterising these sites will enable the development of specific study designs to gain insight into the spatial distribution of the risks posed by these vectors. The resulting information will serve as a basis for proposing and evaluating vector control measures.