title: Eclectic feeding behavior of Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) intermedia (Diptera, Psychodidae, Phlebotominae) in the transmission area of American cutaneous leishmaniasis, state of Paraná, Brazil.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The blood meal source of sandflies provides valuable information about the vector/host interaction and allows for an understanding of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) transmission mechanisms. The aim of this study was to identify the blood meal sources of Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) intermedia in an endemic area of leishmaniasis in Brazil's State of Paraná using a precipitin test.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sandflies were collected in the rural locality of Epitácio Pessoa within the City of Adrianópolis, State of Paraná, in southern Brazil. A total of 864 female sandflies were captured, and 862 (99.8%) were identified as L. intermedia species. However, two unidentified specimens were considered to be part of the genus Lutzomyia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the females examined, 396 specimens presented reactions to a certain type of tested antiserum, and most (67.9%) reacted to the simple type. These sandflies fed mainly on the blood of birds, opossums, and rodents, but specimens that fed on the blood of humans, dogs, horses, cattle, and cats were also found. Among the cross-reactions found (32.1%), bird/rodent, bird/opossum, bird/dog, bird/human, and horse/dog cross-reactions were the most common.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results demonstrate a tendency in the eclectic feeding behavior of L. intermedia and support its potential role as a vector for ACL in the study area.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Paraná, Departamento de Patologia Básica, Laboratório de Parasitologia Molecular, CuritibaPR.
authors.forename: Mauricio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baum
authors.forename: Magda Clara Vieira da Costa
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: Elias Seixas
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Lorosa
authors.forename: Guilherme Augustto Costa
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Damasio
authors.forename: Edilene Alcântara de
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Castro
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds; D001938:Brazil; D002415:Cats; D002417:Cattle; D004285:Dogs; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000635:transmission; D009893:Opossums; D011233:Precipitin Tests; D011576:Psychodidae / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D012377:Rodentia