Adult diet as a factor affecting biology of the sandfly Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae)

Abstract

The effects of adult nutrients on egg retention, immature development and adult survival of P. papatasi, the important vector of leishmaniasis in Egypt were investigated. The tested nutrients were distilled water, overripe fig fruits, guinea pig blood, sucrose solution and alternative meals of blood and sucrose. Egg retention was observed in females irrespective to the type of offered nutrient (r = 0.21) but higher proportion (47%) of blood fed females had retained eggs. Duration of the life cycle was higher for the progeny of fig fed females (P less than 0.05) and mean generation time was longer for sucrose fed females (P less than 0.05). Such nutritional effect on life cycle was observed only for pre-oviposition periods and no extend effect on larval or pupal durations. The survivorship rates for eggs through adults were similar (P greater than 0.05). It is estimated that the population would increase by Ca. 15, 11, 10 and 7 folds if the mother female was fed blood, sucrose, fig or distilled water respectively. The mean life time differed significantly (P less than 0.05) among females fed on different nutrients with the highest co (life expectancy at emergence) value (14.98 +/- 2.75 days) for sucrose fed females. Males fed on distilled water, fig fruits or sucrose solution were with similar longevities P greater than 0.05). In respect to leishmania transmission, the calculated expectancies for female life beyond the infective age indicated that blood-sucrose fed females have higher capability than those fed on sucrose blood or blood alone.