Factors affecting host preference of Lutzomyia evansi (Diptera: Psychodidae), a vector of visceral leishmaniasis in Colombia

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Abstract
Previous studies have shown the sandfly Lutzomyia evansi to be the vector of Leishmania chagasi in northern Colombia. A longitudinal survey during seven months on the host preference of Lutzomyia evansi was conducted in the visceral leishmaniasis focus of San Andrés de Sotavento, Colombia. Host preference was determined by presenting sandflies with a choice of three baits (human, and the reservoirs dog and opossum) and a blank control in specially designed cone traps. A rotational experimental design involved 56 trap nights in which the effect of bait, proximity to forest and season could be distinguished from the potentially confounding factors of site and day to day variation. From a total of 598 sandflies caught during all experiments, females and males of Lutzomyia evansi accounted for 93.8% of the captures in the baited traps. Overall, human attracted the greatest number of sand flies, followed by the other two baits. Attraction and feeding success showed significant differences (P < 0.0001) between baits.