Laboratory investigations on the survival and fecundity of Phlebotomus duboscqi (Diptera, Psychodidae) , a vector of Leishmania major in Kenya
Mutinga, M.J.; Kamau, C.C.; Mwandandu, J.
Tropical Medicine and Parasitology Official Organ of Deutsche Tropenmedizinische Gesellschaft and of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit 38(2): 86-88
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0177-2392 PMID: 3629141 Document Number: 294631
Gravid females of Phlebotomus duboscqi were collected from animal burrows in Kenya and induced to oviposit in the laboratory, where the gonotrophic cycle, survival and reproductive potential of this species was studied over a number of generations. Individual females of P. duboscqi survived for up to 45 days after taking their first blood-meal from a hamster (2-4 days after emergence). During this period up to 8 gonotrophic cycles were completed, resulting in very high fecundity rates (15.3-18.8 eggs/female per cycle). Each cycle took on average 5.2 days, with 17-58% of females completing the 8 cycles. Fully engorged females did not feed again until after an oviposition cycle. Of the eggs deposited after the second or a subsequent blood-meal, 87% hatched; fewer hatched after only one meal. Males lived, on average, for 13-16 days. The implications of these findings in relation to the transmission of Leishmania major are discussed. .. The sandflies were fed on hamster and apples as a sugar source and were placed in vials for oviposition. The feeding and care for oviposition was repeated for as long as the flies lived. The longest period P. duboscqi survived after taking the first blood meal was 45 days. The flies completed up to 8 gonotropic cycles resulting in a very high fecundity rate. ..AS.