Distribution and relative density of phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Rome, Italy

Abstract

Using sticky traps, a total of 533 (72.04 % males) phlebotomine sandflies were collected in urban and periurban areas of Rome during three consecutive sandfly seasons between 1987-1989. Five species were identified, 4 belonging to the genus Phlebotomus and one to the genus Sergentomyia. P. perniciosus (87.80 %) was the more abundant species followed by S. minuta (8.82 %), P. perfiliewi (2.82 %), P. mascittii (0.38 %) and P. papatasi (0.18 %). Some observations on the sandfly distribution in the urban area are discussed.