ECOLOGICAL STUDIES OF PHLEBOTOMUS SANDFLIES IN THE PALOICH AREA, UPPER NILE PROVINCE, SUDAN.
Abstract
This report describes results of field studies of Phlebotomus sandflies in the Paloich area, Upper Nile Province, Sudan, about 350 miles south of Khartoum. General methods are discussed and a description of the area given which includes topography, climate, flora and people. The ecology of the thirteen Phlebotomus species of the area is summarized and the habitat preferences, seasonal occurrences and hosts are described. The changes of the sandfly fauna from the wet to the dry season is described and it is concluded that the change is one of addition and subtraction, but not species replacement. Three species of the area, orientalis, papatasi and heischi, frequently bite man and two, clydei and schwetzi, infrequently do so. From the medical viewpoint, orientalis is the most important species as it is the probable vector of kala-azar. A host list has been compiled from cage tests and from the literature. Cavities in trees are described as the chief daytime resting spots in the wet season; in the dry season soil cracks are used in the day to escape the heat and dessication of above surface locations and foliage of two forest evergreens harbor flies at night. Two tons of soil were searched for immature stages by direct examination and a sugar flotation technique, but only a single larva of P. africanus was found in mud at the base of a tree. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0424837
Entities
People
- Laurence W. Quate
Organizations
- Bishop Museum