Fauna and Bio - ecology of Sand Flies in Kahak Country, the Endemic Focus of Cutaneous Lei shmaniasis in Qom Province (2012)

This study was designed to determine the fauna and bio - ecology of Sand flies in Kahak country, the endemic focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Qom Province during 2012. The present study was a cross - sectional one that conducted on sand flies. It was carried out in Kahak district of Qom province during 2012. Sand flies were collected biweekly from indoors and outdoors (rodent burrows) of three villages, using 180 sticky traps from the beginning May to the end November of the active season. For species identification, sand flies were identified using the valid keys, fauna and seasonal activity also were determined. A total of 4 164 sand flies (1295 from indoors and 2869 from outdoors) were collected and identified. The thirteen species, including three species of the genus phlebotomusand three species of the genus Sergentomyia.The most common sand flies in indoors resting places were P.papatasi (43.47%). Two active peaks of sand flies were observed in late May and late August. Based on findings, sand flies peak activity in this area was late June and late August. P.papatasi was the dominant species in indoors and outdo ors. It seems this species can be probable vector for CL in the study area.