Thinking outside the box: Citizen science to monitor phlebotomine sand flies in Spain

Abstract

The Flebocollect project is a citizen science (CS) initiative in which a diverse group of participants, mainly high-school students, were requested to monitor sand flies (fm. Psychodidae; sfm. Phlebotominae), vectors of Leishmania parasites and Phlebovirus. The project generated entomological data that was then used to prepare an online free-access sand fly monitoring map providing information about the distribution areas of this vector group in Spain. This initiative contributes to our understanding of sand fly dynamics and thus of the risk of disease transmission, while promoting education and public health engagement in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We were also able to confirm the potential of CS for advancing research and strengthening sustainable vector surveillance, thus meeting the demands of The Global Vector Control Response 2017–2030 program. Didactic impact was analyzed through a test distributed to the participants before and after the educational program (pre- and post-test respectively) to assess the potential of CS as a learning tool and to promote a better attitude towards science. The project's success in Spain demonstrates that similar citizen science initiatives could be replicated elsewhere, provided they receive funding through dedicated scientific outreach budgets and are designed with long-term sustainability in mind.