title: Natural breeding places for phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: psychodidae) in a semiarid region of bahia state, Brazil.
abstract: Few microhabitats have been previously identified as natural breeding places for phlebotomine sand flies so far, and little is known about the influence of climate variables in their density. The present study was conducted in a dry region with a semiarid climate, where visceral leishmaniasis occurs in humans and dogs. The occurrence of breeding places in specific microhabitats was investigated in soil samples collected from five houses, which were also the location used for sampling of adults. All the microhabitats sampled by our study were identified as natural breeding places due to the occurrence of immature forms of sand flies. On a weekly basis, the number of adult sand flies captured was positively correlated with the mean temperature from preceding weeks. These results, in addition to promoting an advance in the knowledge of sand flies biology, may furnish a tool for optimizing the control of the sand flies, by indicating the most suitable periods and microhabitats for the application of insecticides.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz/FIOCRUZ, 40295-001, Salvador, BA, Brazil.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sangiorgi
authors.forename: Daniel Neves
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Miranda
authors.forename: Diego Ferreira
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Edivaldo Passos
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Fernanda Regis
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: Edna Oliveira
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Aldina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barral
authors.forename: José Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Miranda