DIFFERENT ENTOMOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES USED FOR SURVEILLANCE OF LEISHMANIASIS VECTOR SAND FLIES (DIPTERA; PSYCHODIDAE); A REVIEW ON THE APPLICABLITY FOR SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME

Abstract

Sand flies (Diptera; Psychodidae) are vectors of Leishmania, a protozoan parasite that causes the disease leishmaniasis. Since the disease leishmaniasis is prevalent among people in some parts of the world, it is necessary to apply possible control measures to prevent further transmission of the disease. For that, effective vector surveillance plays a vital role. Depending on sand fly species, their resting and breeding habitats, and environmental characteristics, the suitability of an effective trapping method could vary. Therefore, this comparative review was conducted to examine the effectiveness of various entomological techniques for sampling sand fly immature and adults, focusing on their suitability in vector surveillance programs in different environmental habitats. Different field traps including hand operated aspirators, light traps, baited traps, and sticky traps, have been employed in different studies from various geographical areas. This review provides the pros and cons of different techniques, their applicability in different ecological settings, and their productivity in trapping sand flies, highlighting emerging advances of each technique, challenges, and possibilities for improvement of trapping strategies in respect to designing and implementing more productive sand fly surveillance which will ultimately affect the control and possible elimination of leishmaniasis.