Past and present prevalence of Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Italy

Abstract

The authors list all data reporting the presence and density of Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Italy. The general conclusion is that P. papatasi is widespread and at times abundant in urban areas. Exceptional collections were made in Apulia (in old stables) and Latium (in bedrooms). In localities near Rome (Rocca Priora and Collevecchio Sabino) and in the city of Rome as well, P. papatasi may be a nuisance, with many people suffering severe irritation from multiple bites. Two laboratory colonies of P. papatasi have been established from naturally-engorged females collected in Latium (Rocca Priora and Rome) with the aim of studying the ability of laboratory-bred females to incubate and transmit Leishmania and phleboviruses.