SAND FLIES OF THE REPUBLIC-OF-DJIBOUTI - ECOLOGICAL DISTRIBUTION, SEASONAL POPULATION TRENDS, AND IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIES

Country-wide surveys for sand fly vectors of Leishmania were conducted during 1988 and 1989 in the Republic of Djibouti. Standardized, consi stent sampling by oiled paper traps was concentrated within ten towns and encampments in four distinct ecological/altitudinal zones (coastal plain, 0-100 m; inland plateau, 400-750 m; mountain valley, 1,000 m; highland forest, > 1,500 m) and timed during three seasonal periods (c ool-dry, October-November; cool-moist, January-February; hot-dry, June -July). A total of 8,492 specimens, representing 19 species and subspe cies was identified. Phlebotomus species with proven or potential abil ity to transmit Leishmania accounted for 22 percent (1,902/8,492) of t he identified collection and comprised 15 to 39 percent of each season al sample. Phlebotomus alexandri and Phlebotomus bergeroti were among the most common and widely distributed species, and made up 62 and 36 percent, respectively, of the Phlebotomus collection. Phlebotomus serg enti and Phlebotomus orientalis were also found, hut at low numbers an d from fewer locations. Seasonal densities were calculated, and a taxo nomic key for the identification of the sand flies of Djibouti has bee n constructed. Survey results are compared with those of other countri es in the region. The ecology, distribution, and public health importa nce of human-biting sand fly species found in Djibouti are discussed.