Improved rearing conditions of sandflies (Phlebotomus argentipes), as required for studies on transmission dynamics of leishmaniasis

Rearing conditions of sandflies (Phlebotomus argentipes) has been improved. Bloodfed females were initially maintained at 21-23° C for 5-7 days before allowing them to oviposit at 26-28° C and a proportion of flies were directly allowed to oviposit at 26-28° C just after feeding to see their oviposition survival and subsequently the refeeding rate. It was found that when the flies were maintained following the former method gave better results. It is proposed to keep the bloodfed sandflies at a temperature lower than its suitable feeding temperature for a period longer than its oogenesis period and then to bring back the flies at slightly higher temperature, required for oviposition to get better result in oviposition survival and subsequently multiple feeding activity.