The phlebotomine sandflies of Portugal. XIII – Occurrence of Phlebotomus sergenti Parrot, 1917 in the Arrabida leishmaniasis focus

In a survey carried out during the summer in 2002 and 2003, in the canine and vulpine leishmaniasis focus of Arrabida, 665 phlebotomine sandflies were caught. 13.83 % were P. ariasi, 58.65 % P. perniciosus, 0.45 % P. sergenti and 27.07 % S. minuta. Despite the low abundance, the finding of the three adults P. sergenti (two males in Aldeia Grande and one female in Quinta da Ramada) confirm the colonization of the Arrabida leishmaniasis focus by this species, which presence had been previously reported but thought accidental. The abundance of P. ariasi observed at this time is significantly different from that in previous years (Pires, 1984 and Fernandes pers. com.,1994). The occurrence of P. sergenti in this region, in association with the decrease in abundance of P. ariasi, may reflect an increased aridness of this region, a consequence of current climate and environmental changes. Lors une enquête effectuée en 2002 et 2003 dans le foyer de leishmaniose canine et vulpine d’Arrábida, 665 phlébotomes ont été capturés : P. ariasi - 13,83 % (92/665); P. perniciosus - 58,65 % (390/665); P. sergenti - 0,45 % (3/665) et S. minuta - 27,07 % (180/665). Les trois P. sergenti capturés à Aldeia Grande (deux mâles) et à Quinta da Ramada (une femelle) sont la première référence de cette espèce dans le foyer. On a verifié que l’abondance de P. ariasi trouvée par Pires (1984) et Fernandes (pers. com., 1994) est significativement différente de celle que nous rapportons ici. Il est possible que l’occurrence de P. sergenti et la diminution progressive de P. ariasi soient la conséquence d’un début d’aridification dans la région.