Ecological Aspects of the Phlebotominae Fauna among Forest Fragments and Built Areas in an Endemic Area of American Visceral Leishmaniasis in João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil

Sand flies are small dipterans of medical importance, as some species are vectors of American visceral leishmaniasis disease (AVL). To determine whether the community of these vectors in forest areas and built areas are influenced by environmental conditions in the city of João Pessoa (state of Paraíba, Brazil), collections were carried out between March 2019 and July 2021. The results showed that forested areas have more non-ALV vector species; however, in the built areas, the predominant species was Lutzomyia longipalpis, a known vector of AVL. This suggests that L. longipalpis adapts better to anthropized areas than to more preserved areas. Thus, health authorities must intensify AVL control programs in the locality. Sand flies are dipterans of medical importance, as some species are vectors of American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL). The municipality of João Pessoa (Paraíba, northeastern Brazil), is an endemic region for AVL, having high rates of human and canine cases. The main objective was to evaluate the sand fly fauna among forest fragments and built areas, and its relationship with environmental conditions. HP light traps were placed in the studied areas from March 2019 to July 2021. A total of 2141 specimens of phlebotomines were captured, comprising nine genera and ten species. Temperature and humidity were significant and positive only in built areas. The diversity composition among forest fragments and built areas was different and the AVL vector, Lutzomyia longipalpis, was the most prevalent species in built areas. The study showed that the built areas present differences in their richness and diversity of sand flies in relation to forest fragments, concluding that the conservation of forest areas, even if urban fragments, favors the diversity of phlebotomine species.