title: Effect of abiotic factors on seasonal population dynamics of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) in northeastern Brazil.
abstract: The resurgence of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil increases the need for studies to elucidate the spatial and temporal dynamics of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz and Neiva) (Diptera: Psychodidae), the vector of Leishmania infantum, the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil. Sand flies were captured in peridomestic habitats biweekly for 3 yr. Cross-correlation tests and spectral analysis were used to analyze the simultaneous and lag-time correlations between Lu. longipalpis population densities and abiotic factors of temperature, relative humidity, wind velocity, and rainfall. Distinct seasonal patterns were observed for males and females, with intervals of 6 mo between population peaks for males and 12 mo for females. Peak female population densities lagged 3 mo behind the maximum annual temperature. Female population density was negatively correlated with relative humidity. An increase in average wind velocity was followed by a decrease in the number of females for 2 wk. Understanding the relationship between the seasonal population dynamics of Lu. longipalpis and abiotic factors will contribute to the design of better control measures to decrease transmission of L. infantum and consequently the incidence of leishmaniasis.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970 Natal, RN, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria de Fátima Freire de Melo
authors.initials: Mde F
authors.lastname: Ximenes
authors.forename: Eloy G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Castellón
authors.forename: Maria de Fátima
authors.initials: Mde F
authors.lastname: De Souza
authors.forename: Alexandre A Lara
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Menezes
authors.forename: José Wilton
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Queiroz
authors.forename: Virgínia Penéllope
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Macedo e Silva
authors.forename: Selma M B
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Jerônimo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000502:physiology*; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D011156:Population Density; D011576:Psychodidae / Q000502:physiology*; D012621:Seasons; D013997:Time Factors; D014887:Weather