Faunistic analysis of phlebotomine sand flies (Lutzomyia spp.) in the municipality of Crato, Ceará, Brazil

Abstract

This study conducted a faunistic survey of phlebotomine sand flies in the municipality of Crato, Ceará, an endemic area for leishmaniasis. A total of 662 individuals were collected, belonging to five species of the genus Lutzomyia: L. longipalpis (89%), L. lenti (8%), L. intermedia (2%), L. evandroi (2%), and L. migonei (0.1%). L. longipalpis demonstrated absolute dominance, being classified as constant and eudominant, with the highest abundance in the Palmeiral, Pimenta, and São José neighborhoods. Temporal analysis revealed a significant difference in abundance between the dry and rainy seasons (Mann-Whitney test, P = 0.001), with higher population density in the dry period. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified three spatial patterns: a cohesive cluster of most neighborhoods dominated by L. longipalpis; the locality Gisélia Pinheiro as an outlier, with a distinct composition; and the Parque Grangeiro and Romualdo neighborhoods associated with L. evandroi. The results confirm the adaptation of L. longipalpis to anthropic environments and highlight the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of the sand fly community, reinforcing the need for vector control strategies differentiated by locality and seasonal period.