Showing papers in "International Journal of Tropical Insect Science in 1986"
TL;DR: The distribution of canine leishmaniasis and figures on infection frequency in countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea are given and the methods of investigation and control of canine Leishmania infantum are discussed.
Abstract: The distribution of canine leishmaniasis and figures on infection frequency in countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea are given. The clinical picture and most common laboratory findings are reviewed. Leishmania infantum is the aetiological agent of both human and canine forms of visceral leishmaniasis. The proved or suspected vectors of L. infantum are listed and mention is made of wild animals (fox, rat) as possible primary reservoirs of the parasite. Finally, the methods of investigation and control of canine leishmaniasis are discussed.
111 citations
TL;DR: Piper guíneense Schum and Thonn, mixed with cowpea seeds, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp, was significantly superior to the large, red and mild Capsicum annum var connoides (Miller) and the small,red and pungent Capsicum frutescens L. frutes censored in causing up to 96% mortality to adults of Callosobruchus maculatus F. within 48 hr.
Abstract: Piper guineense Schum and Thonn, mixed with cowpea seeds, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp, was significantly superior (P < 0.05) to the large, red and mild Capsicum annum var connoides (Miller) and the small, red and pungent Capsicum frutescens L. in causing up to 96% mortality to adults of Callosobruchus maculatus F. within 48 hr. When applied as ground pepper, P. guineense was more active insecticidally than when applied as whole fruits. Adult bruchids in contact with P. guineense showed significant reduction (P < 0.05) in the numbers of eggs laid, and in the numbers of F1, offspring that emerged compared with adult bruchids exposed to the same doses of C. annum or C. frutescens respectively. Neither of the peppers reduced the viability of the cowpea seeds or the absorption of water needed to soften the seed testa for decortication before cooking or processing. At a cost price of U.S.A. $0.003 per 1 g of black pepper, and an effective application rate of 1 g black pepper to 20 g cowpea, there is a saving of over $750 by disinfesting a ton of cowpea with black pepper for a storage period of 2–3 months in a metallic drum which costs less than $50.00
96 citations
TL;DR: Fractionation of the extracts by liquid flash chromatography yielded four fractions one of which gave a seven-fold increase in trap catches in the field compared to the control traps, revealing the presence of seven simple phenols including phenol itself.
Abstract: Urine from the buffalo, Syncerus caffer, a natural host of the tsetse, has been shown previously to be a potent olfactory attractant for tsetse in the field. The attractant compounds have been found to be extractable into dichloromethane. Fractionation of the extracts by liquid flash chromatography yielded four fractions one of which gave a seven-fold increase in trap catches in the field compared to the control traps. Gas chromatographic and gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis of this fraction revealed the presence of seven simple phenols including phenol itself.
78 citations
TL;DR: Occurrence of protozoa in the digestive tract of herbivores is dependent upon the occurrence of an environmentally compatible section of the tract and a retention time for gut contents in that section which exceeds the protozoan generation time.
Abstract: Occurrence of protozoa in the digestive tract of herbivores is dependent upon the occurrence of an environmentally compatible section of the tract and a retention time for gut contents in that section which exceeds the protozoan generation time. In general, herbivores can be classified as pre-gastric (foregut) or post-gastric (hindgut) fermentors. Fermentation in the foregut has evolved through enlargement of the stomach in some way to slow down ingesta passage rate and provide physical separation of the ingesta from the acid-secreting regions, as well as an adequate production of buffered saliva. Hindgut fermentations occur in the caecum-proximal colon area. Most of the protozoa in the digestive tract of herbivorous mammals belong to the class Kinetofragminophorea in the orders Prostomatida, Trichostomatida and Entodiniomorphida. They are anaerobic, live in conjunction with a large bacterial population and can ferment the structural polysaccharides of plants. End products of protozoal fermentation are similar to those of the bacterial population, i.e. volatile fatty acids, lactic acid, carbon dioxide and hydrogen. Additional products of the fermentation are vitamins and microbial protein which are subsequently utilized by foregut fermentors, whereas these products are essentially lost in hindgut fermentors unless they practice coprophagy. Only limited information is available on digestive and metabolic pathways of the gut protozoa, primarily because of our inability to grow them in axenic culture. Specific faunas appear to be associated with site of fermentation, animal species and diet. Diet in turn can affect pH and contents turnover time, both of which are very important in the establishment and growth of a protozoan population in the digestive tract.
67 citations
TL;DR: The research on taxonomy, economic importance, biology and ecology of spike worm and control measures used to suppress its populations is reviewed from 1972 to 1984 and further studies are proposed to develop a viable pest management strategy which would be effective, practical, economical and easily adopted by the farmers.
Abstract: The pearl millet, Pennisetum americanum L., a major food crop in the Sahel, is regularly attacked by a complex of spike worms, of which Raghuva albipunctella De Joannis (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) is the most common and abundant species. The research on taxonomy, economic importance, biology and ecology of spike worm and control measures used to suppress its populations is reviewed from 1972 (period of its first outbreak) to 1984. Further studies are proposed to develop a viable pest management strategy which would be effective, practical, economical and easily adopted by the farmers. The present paper also discusses the difficulties and possibilities of such approach in relation to subsistence farming systems.
46 citations
TL;DR: The human body louse aggregates on filter paper impregnated with an aqueous extract of louse faeces revealed the presence of haemoglobin, xanthine, hypoxanthine , uric acid and ammonium salts, which caused marked aggregation of lice.
Abstract: —The human body louse aggregates on filter paper impregnated with an aqueous extract of louse faeces Chemical analysis of the faeces revealed the presence of haemoglobin, xanthine, hypoxanthine, uric acid and ammonium salts Of all these compounds, only ammonium salts caused marked aggregation of lice Excretory products of other insects and ticks also failed to induce aggregation Total faecal material was more attractive than ammonium, and led to greater aggregation of females than of males Antennectomized lice reacted neither to faeces extract nor to ammonium carbonate solution
24 citations
TL;DR: Various alkaloids from Adhatoda vasica (Acanthaceae) were found to be responsible for the antifertility and antifeedant activity of the extracts of the plant against insects and appear to show a dual activity vis-à-vis a species specificity.
Abstract: Various alkaloids from Adhatoda vasica (Acanthaceae) were found to be responsible for the antifertility and antifeedant activity of the extracts of the plant against insects. Among the major alkaloids vasicine, vasicinol and vasicinone severe antifertility effects were exhibited by vasicinol against Dysdercus koenigii and Tribolium castaneum due to blocking of oocytes in the oviduct. Feeding deterrence was observed against Aulacophora foveicollis and Epilachna vijintioctopunctata at 0.05 and 0.1% levels of these compounds. These allelochemics appear to show a dual activity vis-a-vis a species specificity.
24 citations
TL;DR: Of the free-living protozoa in the marine plankton, most fall into the ‘microplankton’ (20–200 μm, including many of the sarcodinans and ciliates as well as a number of larval metazoa and the larger phytoplankton) and ‘nanoplankton (2–20 μm), including the smaller ciliate and most of the heterotrophic flagellates.
Abstract: Besides distinguishing between ‘zooplankton’ and ‘phytoplankton’, one of the more useful ways for oceanographers to classify planktonic organisms is by size (e.g. Sieburth et al., 1978). Of the free-living protozoa in the marine plankton, most fall into the ‘microplankton’ (20–200 μm, including many of the sarcodinans and ciliates as well as a number of larval metazoa and the larger phytoplankton) and ‘nanoplankton’ (2–20 μm, including the smaller ciliates and most of the heterotrophic flagellates as well as most of the phytoplankton).
22 citations
TL;DR: The systematics of phlebotomine sandflies have significantly advanced in the last two decades through the incorporation of a growing body of information on the biology of sandflies and the introduction of new techniques: chromosome analysis, enzyme electrophoresis, detailed morphological studies, laboratory rearing and colonization, and multivariate morphometries.
Abstract: The systematics of phlebotomine sandflies have significantly advanced in the last two decades through the incorporation of a growing body of information on the biology of sandflies and the introduction of new techniques: chromosome analysis, enzyme electrophoresis, detailed morphological studies, laboratory rearing and colonization, and multivariate morphometries. These techniques have been used mainly in the study of intra-specific variation of vector species. The role of sandfly systematics in the epidemiology of leishmaniasis is discussed.
21 citations
TL;DR: Diaeretiella rapae played a significant role in suppressing populations of B. brassicae and should be taken into consideration in any control programme aimed at protecting brassica crops against aphid pests in Kenya.
Abstract: Diaeretiella rapae (M'cintosh) was the only parasitoid of the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae L., during studies reported here.Percentage parasitism of B. brassicae ranged from 27.1 to 76.1% in studies carried out around Nairobi area during 1978/79. It was highest during the month of September, when the aphid population density had reached maximum, and lowest in May when aphid numbers were low. High parasitism coincided with a decline in aphid population.Because of these high levels of parasitism and other attributes of the parasitoid, it was concluded that D. rapae played a significant role in suppressing populations of B. brassicae and should be taken into consideration in any control programme aimed at protecting brassica crops against aphid pests in Kenya.
20 citations
TL;DR: The vectors of Leishmania major were investigated in Marigat, Baringo District, Kenya, a focus of both visceral and dermal leishmaniases and Sergentomyia ingrami was incriminated as a possible vector of L. major among susceptible rodents inside burrows.
Abstract: Des etudes sur les vecteurs de Leishmania major ont ete conduites dans un foyer de leishmaniose. Le resultat de ces etudes a ete la decouverte des sites de repos de Phlebotomus duboscqi, un vecteur bien connu de Leishmania major. D'autres sites de P. martini un vecteur connu de leishmaniose viscerale ont ete aussi decouverts. L'impact de ces decouvertes est discute, et les methodes de pieger ces insectes qui ont conduit a la decouverte de leurs sites de repos sont presentees et comparees
TL;DR: Limonin, deoxylimonine, citrolin, obacunone, harrisonin and acetoxyharrisonin were assayed as potential antifeedants against the African crop pests, Spodoptera exempta, Eldana saccharina and Maruca testulalis.
Abstract: Limonin, deoxylimonin, citrolin, obacunone, harrisonin and acetoxyharrisonin were assayed as potential antifeedants against the African crop pests, Spodoptera exempta, Eldana saccharina and Maruca testulalis. Even at the highest applied concentration, limonin, deoxylimonin, citrolin and acetoxyharrison were not active against S. exempta. At high concentrations, obacunone and harrisonin were mildly active in S. exempta assays. Harrisonin and obacunone displayed potent activity against E. saccharina and M. testulalis.
TL;DR: Research methods used in identifying tolerant cultivars and the role of tolerance, as one of the three mechanisms of resistance, are discussed.
Abstract: Papers on tolerance of alfalfa, barley, sorghum, corn, rice, wheat, cotton, vegetables and tea to insects are reviewed. Research methods used in identifying tolerant cultivars and the role of tolerance, as one of the three mechanisms of resistance, are discussed.
TL;DR: It is suggested that the preference for young leaves not only ensures that good quality food is available but also that the insect is able to complete development before leaf fall.
Abstract: The spatial distribution and abundance of galls of Phytolyma lata were investigated. There was significant correlation between gall counts and the proportion of young leaves. It is suggested that the preference for young leaves not only ensures that good quality food is available but also that the insect is able to complete development before leaf fall. The distribution was also found to be influenced by the surface of leaf, region of leaf and size of veins.
TL;DR: An investigation was carried out around animal burrows in Marigat, Baringo District (Kenya) for 6 months to observe host attraction or host preference of phlebotomine sandflies.
Abstract: An investigation was carried out around animal burrows in Marigat, Baringo District (Kenya) for 6 months to observe host attraction or host preference of phlebotomine sandflies. Six different kinds of caged animals from groups of Rodentia, Aves, Reptilia, Carnivora and Bovis were used. The host preference of Phlebotomus duboseqi, P. martini and Sergentomyia ingrami were distinctive. Most of the Sergentomyia species preferred feeding on reptilian hosts as is indicated in the blood meal analysis. Among the species were opportunistic feeders on hosts which appeared not to be favoured hosts.
TL;DR: The influence of a cultivar on increased larval dispersal could be exploited in resistance breeding strategies and the possible role of such an effect in pest management strategies is discussed.
Abstract: Larval dispersal and establishment of Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) was studied on different maize cultivar combinations at the whorl stage. Dispersal was increased 2-fold when the infested cultivar ICZ2-CM (resistant) was surrounded by the more susceptible Inbred A, and decreased when Inbred A plants were surrounded by ICZ2-CM. A negative relationship (r = 0.89) was found between the proportions of larvae establishing on infested plants and those unaccounted for. The influence of a cultivar on increased larval dispersal could be exploited in resistance breeding strategies. The possible role of such an effect in pest management strategies is discussed.
TL;DR: Visceral leishmaniasis is the most important of the three in eastern Africa, not only because it is fatal but also because several epidemics have occurred periodically since the disease appeared in the country about 40 years ago resulting in many deaths.
Abstract: Three types of human leishmaniases are known to occur in Kenya: visceral leishmaniasis, caused by Leishmania donovani, and cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. aethiopica and L. major. Visceral leishmaniasis is the most important of the three in eastern Africa, not only because it is fatal but also because several epidemics have occurred periodically since the disease appeared in the country about 40 years ago resulting in many deaths. L. aethiopica and L. major are chiefly zoonotic and people contract the disease when they wander into areas containing animal reservoirs and infected vectors. Control measures were undertaken against vectors and reservoirs during an epidemic outbreak of kala-azar in Machakos District.
TL;DR: A chronological review of the progress made in various programmes on the screening techniques with artificial diets, sources, stability and mechanisms of resistance, bases (physico-morphological and biochemical factors), inheritance and breeding for resistance is made.
Abstract: —The shootfly, Atherigona soccata Rondani, is a major seedling pest of sorghum in many areas of tropical Asia, Africa and Mediterranean Europe. A chronological review of the progress made in various programmes on the screening techniques (natural and artificial) with artificial diets, sources, stability and mechanisms of resistance, bases (physico-morphological and biochemical factors) of resistance, inheritance and breeding for resistance is made. Many resistant varieties have been identified and sources of resistance utilized in breeding programmes to transfer resistance in high yielding background are listed. In addition, the glossy and trichome traits identified is sorghum cultivars are also reported. Glossy leaf surface and trichomes are frequently associated with shootfly resistance.
TL;DR: It is concluded that these alternative host plants provide a potential source of stem-borer infestation on sugar-cane at Asutsuare in southern Ghana.
Abstract: Zea mays L. and Rottboellia exaltata L. were the main graminaceous plant species infested by Eldana saccharina Walker, the major pest of sugar-cane in southern Ghana. Other stem-borers of sugar-cane, Sesamia botanephaga Tams and Bowden, Sesamia penniseti Tams and Bowden, Sesamia calamistis Hampson and Chilo zacconius Bleszynski, were recorded on Zea mays, Echinocloa pyramidalis (Lamk.) et Chase, Rottboellia exaltata, Panicum maximum Jacquin and Oryza sativa L.All the stem-borer populations except E. saccharina on Rottboellia exaltata increased on their host plants. Sesamia and Chilo species were present from January to December on Echinocloa pyramidalis. It is concluded that these alternative host plants provide a potential source of stem-borer infestation on sugar-cane at Asutsuare in southern Ghana.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors conducted laboratory studies to assess the post-harvest susceptibility of Callosobruchus maculatus (Fab.) on 12 elite and one local cowpea cultivars which were stored under subtropical conditions.
Abstract: Laboratory studies were conducted to assess the infestation potential of Callosobruchus maculatus (Fab.) on 12 elite and one local cowpea cultivars which were stored under subtropical conditions. Index of susceptibility, loss in grain quality and the number of adult progeny that emerged from previously infested grain were the criteria used to assess the vulnerability of the cowpeas to post-harvest infestation. Cultivars TV × 309-1C and TV × 1193-10F showed some degree of resistance to post-harvest infestation by C. maculatus and could therefore be stored safely for a relatively long time. TV × 1192-01D and TV × 1999-ID were the most susceptible cultivars to post-harvest attack by C. maculatus. Length of storage adversely affected the ability of the cultivars to resist the insect attack. Crop resistance, adequately supplemented with good sanitation, can be profitably applied to control insect infestations in grains during storage.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used antibodies from resistant host animals to detect the tick antigens they recognized as anapproach to identification of the target antigen(s) for the observed immune responses on feeding ticks.
Abstract: Immune resistance to infestation by an ixodid tick, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, the vector of the African cattle disease, East Coast Fever, was induced in rabbits by either repeated tick feeding or immunization with tick extracts. In addition to resistance to tick infestation, tick extract immunization led to a reduction in the viability of eggs laid by ticks feeding on the immunized host. Resistance to infestation/by ixodid ticks has previously been reported by others to have a humoral immune component. Therefore, antibodies from resistant host animals were used to detect the tick antigens they recognized as an-approach to identification of the target antigen(s) for the observed immune responses on feeding ticks. In crossed immune electrophoresis two antigens were detected using sera from animals made resistant by multiple tick infestations. Sera from extract immunized animals detected these antigens and nine others. The tick antigens detected by both sets of sera in crossed immune electrophoresis were radiolabelled with [35S]amino acids. No labelled antigens were detected by Staphylococcus aureus mediated immune precipitation with sera from hosts made resistant by multiple infestations. Antibodies from extract-immunized animals identified nine protein antigens by S. aureus immunoprecipitation. The molecular weights of these antigens as assessed by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were 180,000; 140,000; 130,000; 98,000; 92,000; 88,000; 85,000 and 82,000. The rate of synthesis of these antigens appeared to vary in relation to the tick feeding cycle.
TL;DR: Resistance of Roslin Tana to aphids was probably due to the morphological characteristics of the cultivar, but probably to some physiological factor(s) according to the facteurs physiologiques.
Abstract: —Eight potato cultivars, viz, Anett, Desiree, Feldeslohn, Kerr’s Pink, Kenya Baraka, Roslin Eburu, Roslin Gucha and Roslin Tana were tested in the field to compare their susceptibility to aphids. Despite the variation in results, Anett, Kerr’s Pink and Desiree were identified as the most susceptible cultivars. The experiments revealed that Roslin Tana was a comparatively resistant cultivar useful for reference in further work.
TL;DR: The repellency of grain, treated with 3.0 ppm permethrin, to S. oryzae, S. zeamais and T. castaneum was tested in a simple choice chamber and G. maxillosus was very susceptible to the insecticide and even the lowest dose brought complete control.
Abstract: Tanzanian strains of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), Gnatocerus maxillosus (F.), Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky were confined to maize grain treated with a dilute dust of permethrin at the rates of 1.5, 3.0 and 6.0 ppm active ingredient. The adult mortality and resulting F1 generation were recorded. G. maxillosus was very susceptible to the insecticide and even the lowest dose brought complete control. T. castaneum adults survived all treatments but few F1 were produced. Adult survival of s. oryzae and S. zeamais was progressively reduced by increasing dosage, although S. zeamais was much less susceptible to the treatment than S. oryzae. The repellency of grain, treated with 3.0 ppm permethrin, to S. oryzae, S. zeamais and T. castaneum was tested in a simple choice chamber. Neither male nor female T. castaneum were repelled but significantly fewer eggs were laid on treated grain. For both Sitophilus spp there was no significant difference between the numbers of females or eggs observed on treated or untreated grain, but males were repelled from permethrin. The importance of these results is discussed in relation to a recent recommendation that the treatment of shelled grain with 3.0 ppm permethrin should be adopted in Tanzania in order to control Prostephanus truncatus (Horn), a new and serious storage pest.
TL;DR: Sandflies caught from termitaria at Tseikuru (Kitui District) and Masinga (Machakos District) were dissected and examined for the presence of Leishmania and parasites were found in the guts of Sergentomyia garnhami and S. antennatus.
Abstract: The paper reviews advances in our understanding of the vectorial capacity and vector-parasite relationship in Kenyan sandflies since the early 1900s (when sandflies were first reported in Kenya). Of the 38 species of sandflies known to occur in Kenya to date, three (Phlebotomus pedifer, P. martini and P. duboscqi) can naturally carry biochemically and serologically confirmed Leishmania (aethiopica, donovani and major, respectively) and 12 (Phlebotomus rhodhaini, Sergentomyia garnhami, S. squamipleuris, S. africanus, S. kirki, S. ingrami, S. antennatus, S. bedfordi, S. schwetzi, S. affinis, S. graingeri and S. clydei) carry various flagellates of biochemically or serologically unknown character.
TL;DR: This paper combines some of the results from three studies that explain the system by which the gut of Phlebotomus papatasi is maintained bacteria free, which includes an antibacterial factor in the crop and feeding behaviour which determines selective routing of meals.
Abstract: This paper combines some of the results from three studies that explain the system by which the gut of Phlebotomus papatasi is maintained bacteria free. This system includes an antibacterial factor in the crop (diverticulum) and feeding behaviour which determines selective routing of meals. When feeding by piercing animal skin or plant tissue, in a ‘blood feeding’ mode, the uncontaminated meals of both sources enter the midgut directly. Free-solution sugar-meals which may contain contaminants, enter the crop where they mix with the antibacterial agent. Feeding on plants is also described.
TL;DR: Adult ticks of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus were fed on rabbits immunized with antigen—antibody complexes derived from the immunodiffusion reaction in agarose of tick extracts with antisera from rabbit immunized previously with tick extracts to produce an adverse effect on egg hatchability.
Abstract: Adult ticks of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus were fed on rabbits immunized with antigen–antibody complexes derived from the immunodiffusion reaction in agarose of tick extracts with antisera from rabbits immunized previously with tick extracts. Ticks feeding on the precipitin complex immunized rabbits displayed delayed attachment, prolonged engorgement and extended periods to drop off the host. While final engorgement weight was not affected, the immunization was observed to produce an adverse effect on egg hatchability. Fewer than 10% eggs from ticks fed on immunized animals hatched live larvae compared to greater than 90% live hatchings from ticks fed on controls. The tick antigens responded to by the immunized rabbits were characterized by crossed immunoelectrophoresis. Antisera from precipitin complex immunized animals precipitated four to five separate antigens from immunizing extracts. One (or more) of these antigens may be the target for the observed deleterious effect on tick reproduction.
TL;DR: Investigations on sandfly breeding sites in Marigat, Baringo District, in Kenya were carried out using a soil incubation technique, proving to be the best in the recovery of phlebotomine sandflies from known resting sites.
Abstract: Investigations on sandfly breeding sites in Marigat, Baringo District, in Kenya were carried out using a soil incubation technique. Soil samples from natural resting sites were collected, incubated and observed daily for emerging adult phlebotomine sandflies. This technique proved to be the best in the recovery of phlebotomine sandflies from known resting sites. Ten sandfly species were recovered from soil collected from animal burrows and termite hills.
TL;DR: Maintaining a low visual damage threshold of up to 1.0 mean hole on the wrapper leaves, after initial protection of primordia, was found to be an effective alternative in reducing present reliance on weekly or fortnightly sprays for the control of both the pests on cabbage.
Abstract: An economic threshold on fresh cabbage affected by Plutella xylostella (L.) and Crocidolomia binotalis Z., based on visual estimates of defoliation and a determination of this damage on the marketable yield was developed. An initial survey of unprotected cabbage field for determination of general levels of number of holes caused by feeding of both the lepidopterous pests formed a prerequisite for conducting visual damage threshold experiments. Maintaining a low visual damage threshold of up to 1.0 mean hole (mean of two leaves) on the wrapper leaves, after initial protection of primordia, was found to be an effective alternative in reducing present reliance on weekly or fortnightly sprays for the control of both the pests on cabbage. The possibility of eliminating precupping sprays is supported by the study since the larval populations causing damage to either outer leaves or leaves about to cover the head did not reduce the yield to a significant extent. The use of thresholds based on larval counts of either P. xylostella or C. binotalis failed to give enough lead time during scouting and resulted in loss of marketability.
TL;DR: Sufficient information now exists in many areas for the prediction of outbreaks and the establishment of pilot control schemes in development projects, but much remains to be learned on the significance of cryptic infections and on the population dynamics of reservoir hosts.
Abstract: Recent studies have greatly clarified the epidemiological situation of leishmaniases in the Middle East. Notable contributions have come from the accurate identification of the parasites responsible for the different diseases, correlation of disease prevalence with bioclimatic zones, and the incrimination of reservoir hosts. Sufficient information now exists in many areas for the prediction of outbreaks and the establishment of pilot control schemes in development projects. However, much remains to be learned on the significance of cryptic infections and on the population dynamics of reservoir hosts.
TL;DR: The results open way for artificial feeding of Kenyan sandflies on mammalian blood through membranes, and indicate that it is necessary to select the type of membrane depending on sandfly species.
Abstract: Five ( Sergentomyia antennatus, S. garnhami, S. schwetzi, S. ingrami and S. adleri ) of the six species of sandflies fed on mammalian blood containing cultured Leishmania donovani promastigotes on day 0, were able to feed through cockerel skin membranes at 5.5, 10, 34.3, 45.7 and 95% feeding rates, respectively. Sergentomyia bedfordi was able to feed on mammalian blood only through a lizard skin membrane at 100% feeding rate. Promastigotes were found in 9.3, 25 and 37.5% of S. schwetzi, S. adleri and S. ingrami respectively, dissected on days 3–9. The results open way for artificial feeding of Kenyan sandflies on mammalian blood through membranes, and indicate that it is necessary to select the type of membrane depending on sandfly species. The ability of L. donovani to develop in Kenyan sandflies is being investigated to experimentally establish and confirm the importance of various genera and species in the epidemiology of leishmaniasis.