Ecology, seasonality and host preferences of Austrian Phlebotomus (Transphlebotomus) mascittii Grassi, 1908, populations.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Sand flies are principal vectors of the protozoan parasites Leishmania spp. and are widely distributed in all warmer regions of the world, including the Mediterranean parts of Europe. In Central European countries, the sand fly fauna is still under investigation. Phlebotomus mascittii, a suspected but unproven vector of Leishmania infantum, is regarded as the most widely distributed species in Europe. However, many aspects of its biology and ecology remain poorly known. The aim of this study was to provide new data on the biology and ecology of Ph. mascittii in Austria to better understand its current distribution and potential dispersal.

Methods

Sand flies were collected by CDC light traps at four localities in Austria for 11 (2018) and 15 weeks (2019) during the

SUBMITTER: Kniha E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8164323 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature