Implication of vector characteristics of Phlebotomus argentipes in the kala-azar elimination programme in the Indian sub-continent

Figures & data

Figure 1 The life cycle of sand fly, Phlebotomus argentipes.

Figure 2 Seasonality and monthly variation of Phlebotomus sand fly density (Bangladesh) and P. argentipes (India and Nepal) observed per household trap during night by month: from September 2002 to August 2003 (Bangladesh) and 2006 to 2007 (India and Nepal).

Table 1 Summary of findings which are relevant for designing the vector control strategy in Bangladesh (BA), India (IN), and Nepal (NE)

Topic area	Findings	Relevance for vector control
Seasonal variation of vector density	• The peak sand fly density was found from March onwards; from December to February the density was low (BA) • Sand flies were present throughout the year with minimum abundance in winter (if temperature is too cold, sometimes no sand flies from December to February) and maximum density during monsoon and post-monsoon months (IN) • Density of Phlebotomus argentipes showed two peaks, one during April and May, and another in September and October (NE)	IRS activities adapted to seasonal variation
Biting times	• No definite evidence for Bangladesh • Peak biting time of P. argentipes is midnight (IN) • Peak biting time of P. argentipes is midnight (NE)	Night biting increases effect of LNs
Biting places	• No evidence for Bangladesh collected so far • P. argentipes being exophagic and endophagic (IN) • Definite evidence for Nepal is lacking (NE)	No effect of IRS and LN on outdoor biting; vector biting in cattle sheds reduces man–vector contact but also the effect of IRS and LNs
Host preference	• No definite evidence for Bangladesh • P. argentipes preferred to feed on bovine blood and as second preference human blood (IN) • P. argentipes preferred cattle blood more than human (NE)	Preference for cattle reduces man biting: zoo-prophylaxis may be considered