relative abundance of Phlebotomus martini Parrot and P. duboscqi Neveu-Lemaire (Diptera: Psychodidae) in animal burrows and termite mounds in Marigat Location, Baringo District, Kenya

• Published in: Insect science and its application Vol. 13; no. 2; pp. 173 - 176
• Main Authors: Basimike, M, Mutinga, M.J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.04.1992
• Subjects: ambient temperature; animal burrows; habitats; Phlebotomus duboscqi; Phlebotomus martini; population density; rain; relative humidity; seasonal abundance; seasonal variation; termite mounds; Kenya
• ISSN: 0191-9040
• DOI: 10.1017/S1742758400014314

Animal burrows are major habitats for both P. martini and P. duboscqi, vectors of leishmaniases in Kenya. In burrows, both species were collected visceral and cutaneous leishmaniases throughout the year. The highest relative abundance of P. martini and P. duboscqi was recorded in August and in April, respectively. The lowest relative abundance was observed in July for P. martini and in October for P. duboscqi. In termite mounds, P. martini was present all the year round, but P. duboscqi was absent for the greater part of the year. The highest relative abundance of P. martini was observed in November and April, while that of P. duboscqi was seen in March and April. The lowest relative abundance of P. martini was recorded in July. In termite mounds, P. duboscqi showed a significant positive correlation with rainfall, contrary to P. martini which did not afford any significant correlation with any environmental factor. Rainfall, relative humidity and ambient temperature did not correlate with relative sandfly abundance in animal burrows.