Abstract
Studies on the vertical distribution of phlebotomine sandflies were carried out at Marigat (Kenya) at determined heights above ground level in both wooded and open fields. Traps set up at different heights from 0–11 m (in wooded area) and 0–9 m (in open field), showed a clear vertical zonation of sandflies as large numbers were collected between 0–7 m in the first site and 0–4 m in the second ones. Among the nine sandfly species collected, Sergentomyia bedfordi Newstead and S. antennatus Newstead were the only species recorded at a height of 11 m above the ground and the commonest sandflies at all studied heights. Overall, more sandflies were collected from the wooded area than the open field. The relationships between the sandfly relative abundance and their heights of flight above the ground showed significant negative correlation coefficients.
Résumé
Des études sur la distribution verticale des phlébotomes ont été menées dans deux zones différentes dans la Localité de Marigat (Kenya). Dans la région boisée, les pièges “collant” placés du sol jusqu’à onze mètres ont défini la zone de vol comme étant comprise entre le niveau du sol (O mètre) et sept mètres au-dessus du sol. Tandis que dans la région déboisée (endroit ouvert), les pièges installés de zéro jusqu’à neuf mètres ont déterminé la zone de vol comme étant située entre zéro et quatre mètres au-dessus du sol. Parmi les neuf espèces de phlébotomes rencontrées dans la Localité de Marigat, seules Sergentomyia bedfordi et S. antennatus ont été collectées jusqu’à onze mètres au-dessus du sol. Les deux espèces étant aussi les plus communes à toutes les hauteurs examinées. Dans l’ensemble, la zone boisée renfermait plus de phlébotomes par rapport à l’endroit ouvert. Le rapport entre l’abondance relative des phlébotomes et leur distance de vol au-dessus du sol a présenté un coefficient de correlation négatif hautement significatif.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abonnenc E. (1972) Les Phlebotomes de la Region Ethiopienne (Diptera, Psychodidae). Memoires ORSTOM, No. 55. Off. Rech. Sci. Techn. Outre-Mer, Paris.
Chaniotis B.N., Correa M.A., Tesh R.B. and Johnson K.M. (1974) Horizontal and vertical movements of phlebotomine sandflies in a Panamanian rain forest. J. med. Entomol. 11, 369–375.
Christensen H.A. and De Velasquez A.M. (1982) Tree butresses as biotopes: A pathobiocenosc of Leishmania braziliensis. Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. 31, 243–251.
Disney R.H.L. (1966) A trap for phlebotomine sandflies attracted to rats. Bull. entomol. Res. 56, 445–451.
Disney R.H.L. (1968) Observations on a zoonosis: Leishmaniasis in British Honduras. J. Appl. Ecol. 5, 1–59.
Dergacheva I.I., Zherikhina I.I. and Rasnitsyana N.M. (1979) A method of counting sandflies (Diptera, Phlebotominae). WHO/VBC/79.718. World Health Organization Documentary Series, Geneva.
Lewis D.J. and Kirk R. (1951) The sandflies (Phlebotomidae) of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. Bull. entomol. Res. 41, 563–575.
Minter D.M. (1964) The biology of sandflies (Phlebotomus) in Kenya. Ph.D. thesis, University of London.
Mutinga M.J. (1981) An efficient trap for sandflies (Diptera, Phlebotomidae). Insect Sci. Applic. 1, 203–206.
Mutinga M.J. and Kamau C.C. (1986) Investigations of the epidemiology of leishmaniasis in Kenya. II. The breeding sites of phlebotomine sandflies in Marigat, Baringo district, Kenya. Insect Sci. Applic. 7, 37–44.
Okoth J.O. and Kapata R. (1987) A study of the resting sites of Glossina fuscipes fuscipes (Newstead) in relation to Lantana camara thickets and coffee and banana plantations in the sleeping sickness epidemic focus, Busoga, Uganda. Insect Sci. Applic. 8, 57–60.
Quate L.W. (1964) Phlebotomus sandflies of the Paloich area in the Sudan (Diptera, Psychodidae). J. med. Entomol. 1, 213–268.
Rutledge L.C. and Ellenwood B.A. (1975) Production of phlebotomine sandflies on the open forest floor in Panama: Phytologic relations. Environ. Entomol. 4, 78–82.
Shaw J.J., Lainson R. and Ward R.D. (1972) Leishmaniasis in Brazil: VII. Further observations on the feeding habits of Lu. flaviscutellata (Mangabeira) with particular reference to its biting habits at different heights. Trans. R. Soc. Trop. Med. Hyg. 66, 718–723.
Thatcher V.E. and Hertig M. (1966) Field studies on the feeding habits and diurnal shelters of some Phlebotomus sandflies (Diptera, Psychodidae) in Panama. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 59, 46–52.
Williams P. (1970) On the vertical distribution of Phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera, Psychodidae) in British Honduras (Belize). Bull. Entomol. Res. 59, 637–646.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Basimike, M., Mutinga, M.J. & Mutero, C.M. Vertical Distribution of Phlebotomine Sandflies in Two Habitats in Marigat Leishmaniases Endemic Focus, Baringo District, Kenya. Int J Trop Insect Sci 10, 645–650 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400021780
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400021780