Ecology of Sergentomyia Garnhami Heisch, Guggisberg and Teesdale (Diptera: Psychodidae) in a Kala-Azar Endemic Area of Tseikuru, Kitui District, Kenya

Abstract

Ecological studies on S. garnhami in Tseikuru area of Kitui District, Kenya, were carried out from January 1989 to December 1990. This phlebotomine sandfly species had been shown to be economically important as a possible ve c tor of Leishmania donovani and L. major. Experimental determination of the breeding sites of s. garnhami showed that this species was recovered from 14 out of 17 ecological habitats investigate. S. garnhami was also found to breed in domestic, peridomestic and sylvatic environments . Investigations on the day resting sites of S. garnhami showed that tt has a wide distribution of day resting sites but prefers termite hills. Distribution studies within the different ecological sites showed that the of lies were strongly aggregated within the sites.......(continue from the attached pdf)