On the occurrence of Phlebotomus (Paraphlebotomus) mireillae (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Ethiopia

Abstract

Three of the four Phlebotomus (ParaHead phlebotomus) species recorded in East Africa — Height = 0.52 (0.01) [0.51–0.54] mm. P. (P.) sergenti, P. (P.) alexandri and P. (P.) Pharynx length=23 (0.01) [22–25] mm, or saevus — are known to occur in Ethiopia 2.68 (0.24) [2.44–3.00] times the width of (Gemetchu et al., 1976; Lewis, 1982). The 0.09 (0.01) [0.08–0.09] mm. Labrum length= fourth species, P. (P.) mireillae, was described 0.38 (0.02) [0.35–0.40] mm. Antennal segonly a few years ago (Killick-Kendrick et al., ment A3 is 0.30 (0.02) [0.28–0.32] mm 1997) and has not been reported outside of long, or 0.80 (0.03) [0.76–0.83] times the Kenya. However, P. mireillae now appears length of labrum, and is usually shorter than, to have been detected in Ethiopia. rarely equal to or slightly longer than the During epidemiological studies of visceral combined lengths of segments A4 and A5 leishmaniasis in the Aba Roba focus in {0.30 (0.01) [0.29–0.32] mm}. The ascoids southern Ethiopia (Gebre-Michael and Lane, on A3 are 0.07 (0.01) [0.05–0.08] mm 1996a), sand ies were collected, between long, or 0.22 (0.02) [0.19–0.25] times the May 1998 and June 1998, from a cave near length of A3. Segment A4 is 0.15 (0.01) the  oor of the Segen River valley. The [0.14–0.16] mm long and has ascoids collections, made using CDC miniature light measuring 0.08 (0.01) [0.07–0.08] mm in traps, were mostly preserved in 70% alcohol length, or 0.51 (0.05) [0.44–0.57] times the and then processed for routine identiŽ cation length of the segment. The palp formula is and spermathecal dissection/examination in usually 1, 4, 2, 3, 5 (four specimens) but the laboratory (Gebre-Michael and Lane, rarely 1, (2, 4), 3, 5 (two specimens). The 1996b). However, any gravid females collected palp segments 1–5 measure 0.06 (0.01) were kept alive and placed in oviposition [0.05–0.07], 0.20 (0.01) [0.19–0.20], 0.23 vials (one  y/vial ) so that isofemale broods, (0.01) [0.22–0.24], 0.18 (0.01) [0.17–0.19] of known identity, could be reared (Gebreand 0.51 (0.02) [0.48–0.53] mm in length, Michael and Lane, 1993). respectively. Among the wild-caught sand ies were eight females identiŽ ed as P. mireillae [based on the presence of distinct spines in the spermWing athecal duct (Killick-Kendrick et al., 1997)], Length = 2.66 (0.06) [2.57–2.74] mm, or six females identiŽ ed as P. saevus and 14 3.37 (0.05) [3.30–3.46] times the width associated Paraphlebotomus males. The latter of 0.79 (0.03) [0.76–0.83] mm. 1 apex= were clearly not the males of P. sergenti +0.19 (0.04) [0.14–0.24] mm. R 2 /R 2+3 and P. alexandri and were assumed to be ratio=1.78 (0.07) [1.71–1.91]. P. saevus and/or P. mireillae.