Entomological Survey of Sandflies Vector (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) in Asser Region, Saudi Arabia

Phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) are the natural vectors of Leishmaniasis. This study aimed to identify the distribution and classification of phlebotomine sandflies vector in the Aseer region, Saudi Arabia. Twice entomological surveys were carried out in four geographical locations (Abha, Rijal Alma, Muhayil, and Asahel) within the Aseer Region during the period from November to December 2020. Phlebotomine sandflies were collected using light traps (10 traps/ month). Identification of species was done under a binocular microscope at 40x. Female and male specimens were identified by observing head and genital structures under the microscope using the morphological keys. Six species of phlebotomine sandflies with 107 were collected throughout the study period (November and December 2020). P.bergeroti species is the most abundant (54.2%) followed by P. alexandri (18.6%) and P.orientalis (12.1%) of the total flies collected ,while P.papatasi, P.sergenti, and P.arabicus were identified less abundance in Aseer region of the total flies collected . More phlebotomine sandfly species were found in the Abha province (38.3%) followed by Rijal Alma province (31.7%) while the least abundant collected in the Muhayil province (8.4%) this study showed that P.bergeroti and P.alexandri are widespread in the Aseer region, specifically in Abha and the Rijal Alma provinces. More studies are needed to understand the preference, behavior and vectorial efficiency of sandfly vectors in Asser region.