Successful colonization of the sand fly Lutzomyia trapidoi (Diptera: Psychodidae), with enhancement of its gonotrophic activity

An improved rearing technique, using a 0.95-liter (1-qt) clear plastic container and fine sand, enabled colonization for the first time of Lutzomyia trapidoi , an anthrophilic phlebotomine sand fly and major vector of leishmaniasis and arboviruses in Panama. The technique also improved the gonotrophic activity of the species by allowing 35 and 8% of females to complete 2 and 3 gonotrophic cycles, respectively.