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PARASITOLOGY • Cienc. Rural 55 (8) • 2025 • https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-8478cr20240398 linkcopy

Open-access Sandfly fauna in the urban area of the municipality of Jataí, GO, Brazil

Fauna flebotomínea em área urbana do município de Jataí, GO, Brasil

AuthorshipSCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

    ABSTRACT:

    Leishmaniasis, classified as neglected diseases, is expandig throughout Brazilian territory and is transmitted by the hemantophagy of sandflies. The municipality of Jataí is classified as silently receptive to sandflies. Therefore, this study determined the species of sandflies present in urban area of Jataí. Collections were made mothly from September 2023 to January 2024 using CDC-type light traps. The screened insects were then sent for taxonomic identification at the René Rachou Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation . As a result, 15 insects were collected; although, only 46,6% (07) were confirmed as sandflies. After analysis four species were identified: Sciopemyia sordellii, Evandromyia walkeri, Evandromyia carmelinoi, and Nyssomyia intermedia. Our results demonstrated that Jataí has a low number of sandflies, which may had been influenced by precipitation and humidity during the collection periody.

    Key words:
    ecology; entomology; American Cutaneous; Leishmaniasis; Psychodidae; zoonosis

    RESUMO:

    As leishmanioses são classificadas como doenças negligenciadas que estão se expandindo por todo território brasileiro, e sua transmissão é feita pela hematofagia dos flebotomineos. O município de Jataí é classificado como receptivo silencioso. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi identificar as espécies de flebotomíneos presentes na área urbana de Jataí. Foram realizadas coletas mensais entre o período de setembro de 2023 a janeiro de 2024, por meio de armadilhas luminosas. Os insetos triados foram enviados para identificação taxonômica no Centro de Pesquisa René Rachou - Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Foram coletados no total 15 insetos, porém apenas 46,6% foram confirmados flebótomos. Após análise foram identificadas quatro espécies: Sciopemyia sordellii, Evandromyia walkeri, Evandromyia carmelinoi e Nyssomyia intermedia. Nossos resultados demonstraram que Jataí possui baixo número de flebotomíneos, o que pode ter sido influenciado pela precipitação e umidade local.

    Palavras-chave:
    ecologia; entomologia; Leishmaniose Tegumentar Americana; Psychodidae; zoonose

    Sandflies are dipterans belonging to the Psychodidae family, and the subfamily Phlebotaminae, which are responsible for transmitting leishmaniasis and other diseases of public health importance (CECÍLIO et al., 2022). The interaction between Leishmania spp. and sandflies is essential for the transmission of the disease. When ingested, the protozoan is in the amastigote form, which requires a differentiation in the sandfly’s intestine to the promastigote form. This promastigote form is responsible for infecting humans during the blood meal (CECÍLIO et al., 2022).

    This insect develops and feeds its larvae on organic matter. Consequently, sandflies prefer to shelter in tree trunks, accumulated leaves, treetops, caves. In areas with human interference, they may take shelter in chicken coops, pigsty, kennels, barns, and inside houses (COSTA & SOUZA, 2018). Thus, environmental factors significantly influence the development of this species.

    In addition to environmental factors, climate issues can also influence the development of sandflies. Climatic elements such as rainfall, humidity, and temperature significantly influence the occurrence of sandflies in an area. The ideal environment for these species is characterized by low variation in temperature and humidity (REIS et al., 2019). Thus, just as climate affects the development of sandflies, it also influences the transmission and progression of leishmaniasis (SILVA et al., 2020).

    The Brazilian Ministry of Health recommends the use of entomological monitoring and surveillance as a tool for controlling and preventing leishmaniasis. This entomological activity is advised for municipalities at risk of introducing and circulating leishmaniasis, with the goal of detecting the vector, and assessing the receptivity of the disease in the municipality (BRASIL, 2022).

    The study area is the municipality of Jataí (17° 52’ 33’’ S 51° 43’ 17’’ W), located in the state of Goiás in the Central-West region of Brazil. The average annual temperature is 22.4 ºC, and the average annual precipitation is 1,648.9 mm (CORRÊA & DIAS, 2023). Collection points were chosen randomly, based on their favorable environment for the presence of sandflies (BRASIL, 2022). According to Municipal Health Department of Jataí, the city is divided in five regions. For this research, we excluded the commercial area and installed traps in four residential regions.

    The collection period occurred between September 2023 and January 2024 at the selected residences. According to BRASIL (2022), CDC-type light traps were used monthly. At the end of collection, all insects were examined under stereoscopic microscope and screened. Following the methodology outlined by Oswaldo Cruz Foundation - René Rachou Research Center (IRR), male insects were preserved in microtubes with 70% alcohol, while females were stored in 6% DMSO and refrigerated at -20 ºC. In the end, selected insects were sent to IRR for morphological identification according to the taxonomic key proposed by GALATI (2021).

    The climatic data was acquired through the National Institute of Meteorology (INMET) database, obtained through the metrological station located in the municipality. The data acquired for this research were humidity, temperature and precipitation belonging to the months of interest. A qualitative descriptive statistical analysis was carried out in which the data obtained were tabulated.

    During the collection period, from September to January, sandflies were captured in October, November, December and January. The identification process conducted by the IRR resulted in the collection of seven sandfly specimens, including four males and three females. Four species of sandflies were identified in the municipality: Sciopemyia sordellii, Evandromyia walkeri, Evandromyia carmelinoi and Nyssomyia Intermedia. Notably, one area did not yield any positive captures.

    The species Sciopemyia sordellii is distributed across five regions of Brazil, inhabiting various types of environments, primarily in wild areas, and is not commonly found in anthropogenic regions (TEODORO, 2021). Although, the presence of Leishmania spp. has been reported (CARVALHO et al., 2012; GUIMARÃES et al., 2014; SILVA et al., 2020), this species is not considered vector competent. For a sandfly to be classified as a vector, detected leishmania DNA is insufficient, is required more attributes (CECÍLIO et al., 2022).

    Belonging to the same genus, the species Evandromyia walker and Evandromyia carmelinoi, are distributed across most Brazilian states, but their potencial in the epidemiology of leishmaniasis still unknown (RODRIGUES et al., 2020). There are records of these species in various locations throughout Brazil (CAPUCCI et al., 2023; TEODORO, 2021); Nonetheless, there is no report of E. walker in the state of Goiás (ALMEIDA et al., 2013). There is a lack of studies involving their behavior and ecology.

    Nyssomyia intermedia is widely distributed throughout South America and deserves attention due to its epidemiological significance, as it is part of the transmission cycle of cutaneous leishmaniasis (BRASIL, 2022). This species can adapt to changes in its ecological niche, allowing it easily integrating into environments altered by humans, such as urban areas (SANGUINETTE et al., 2015).

    During the collection period the temperature remained stable, with a monthly average ranging from 23 ºC to 26 ºC. However, humidity varied significantly, reaching its lowest point in September at 12.8% and peaking at 72.8% in January. Additionally, there was a substantial amount of monthly precipitation, exceeding 100 mm, with the highest recorded in January at 244.5 mm. The climatic conditions observed during this period may have influenced the presence of sandflies. As noted by SILVA et al. (2020) sandflies are highly sensitive to weather patterns. Significant fluctuations in monthly average humidity can hinder their development. Additionally, the occurrence of heavy rainfall leads to waterlogged soil, creating an environment that is unfavorable for the growth of insect larvae and eggs.

    In conclusion, this study identified four different species of sandflies in the municipality of Jataí. November recorded the highest number of captures. Although, few specimens were found, one specimen of Nyssomyia intermedia, a known vector of cutaneous leishmaniasis, was identified. This low number of vectors may have been influenced by the high levels of precipitation and fluctuations in humidity during the collection period. It is essential to emphasize the need for ongoing monitoring of sandflies behavior in the municipality to ensure effective entomological surveillance and, consequently, robust prevention strategies against leishmaniasis.

    ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

    The G.C.R.C. was partially funded by the Brazilian Federal Agencies: Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Brazil - Finance Code 001. We would also like to thank the Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - Instituto de Pesquisa René Rachou (FIOCRUZ), for supporting and analyzing this research

    REFERENCES

    • CR-2024-0398.R2

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    Publication Dates

    • Publication in this collection
      13 June 2025
    • Date of issue
      2025

    History

    • Received
      24 July 2024
    • Accepted
      16 Dec 2024
    • Reviewed
      20 Mar 2024
    Creative Common - by 4.0
    This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License
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