Comparative Study of Different Methods for Collecting Phlebotominae Sand Flies in Bushehr Province of Iran

Phlebotominae sand flies are small، fragile، nocturnal Nematoceran insects with weak flight capability; they transmit viral and bacterial disease، including leishmaniasis. Sand fly-parasite relationship، vector behavior، taxonomy and its ecology studies depend on sampling methods. In this study the efficiency of different trapping method has been evaluated for the first time in Bushehr province that is an endemic foci of Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran. Collection of sand flies was done by different methods. During each village visit، sand flies were collected by CDC light traps، sticky traps and aspirator from indoors dwellings and for outdoors، CDC، UV light traps and sticky traps were applied. Phlebotomus papatasi was the most common species captured both in outdoor and indoor traps. Comparing the collection methods، maximum samples were captured by CDC light traps (40. 5%)، followed by aspirator and then sticky trap in indoors environment. Whereas most effective method at outdoor was UV trap (47. 6%)، followed by sticky trap and CDC light trap. Based on biodiversity indices، UV light trap captures wider of species. It seems that light trap is more efficient and less labor-intensive but more work is needed to evaluate the efficiency another trap such as frozen CO2 and other attractants.