title: Species composition and activity patterns of sand flies (Psycodidae: Phlebotomine) in four tehsils of Dir Districts, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
abstract: The present study reports sand flies species composition, fauna diversity and seasonal variations from four tehsils of Dir Districts, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Collection was made using sticky traps, flit method and aspiration where highest number of sand flies was captured through sticky traps. Digitalized sand flies distribution maps were produced using geographic information system ArcGIS. A total of 7292 specimens were captured between January to December 2014, comprised of 11 Sergentomyia and 9 Phlebotomus. Phlebotomus salengensis was the most abundant species followed by Phlebotomus sergenti. Overall, male to female ratio observed was 3:1 and species diversity varied among the studied tehsils. Highest abundance was recorded in July and August, whereas the flies disappeared in the colder months (November-April) of the year. Information about insect vector behaviour in natural setting is required to understand the status of disease caused by them. This study is a thorough account of biodiversity of sand flies in the region and provides a useful insight in to identifying potential breeding preferences of sand flies and recognition of active and potential vector species in the Dir districts. Further large scale studies are needed to determine the behaviour, infection rate, and the natural reservoir hosts of sand fly vectors in the region.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Electronic address: naheed_ali@upesh.edu.pk.
authors.forename: Naheed
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Electronic address: khurshaid9000@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Khurshaid
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Electronic address: sobiawahid@upesh.edu.pk.
authors.forename: Sobia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wahid
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Electronic address: nazma@upesh.edu.pk.
authors.forename: Nazma Habib
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: National Center of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Electronic address: safeer072@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Safeer Ullah
authors.initials: SU
authors.lastname: Shah
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D044822:Biodiversity; D001947:Breeding; D005260:Female; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000502:physiology*; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000635:transmission*; D008297:Male; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D011576:Psychodidae / Q000502:physiology*; D012621:Seasons
keywords: Dir; Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; Phlebotomus; Sand fly; Sergentomyia