Studies in leishmaniasis in East Africa II.The Sandflies of the kitui kala-azar area in Kenya, with descriptions of six new species

Abstract
Summary (1) Seventeen species of sandflies are recorded from the Kitui District of Kenya, of which six are new ones. The new species are described. Observations are made on distribution, monthly incidence and bionomics. (2) Eight species are known to bite man ;. these are P. martini, P. vansomerenae, P. schwetzi, P. kirki, P. garnhami, P. rosannae, P. harveyi, and P. multidens. P. garnhami is the only species caught biting in large numbers ; it has peaks of activity in the morning and evening. Sandflies have usually been caught biting near termitaries, sometimes in millet fields, and occasionally in houses. (3) P. garnhami was at first considered the most likely vector of leishmaniasis north of Kitui, and flagellates undergoing “ anterior development ” were found in 5 per cent. of specimens fed on a cutaneous lesion containing abundant Leishmania. This infection rate is rather low for a potential vector, and now P. martini and P. vansomerenae are under suspicion. (4) Many of the sandflies round Kitui like feeding on lizards. Flagellates (probably derived from lizards) have been observed in P. clydei, P. bedfordi, P. schwetzi, P. squamipleuris and P. garnhami.

This publication has 7 references indexed in Scilit: