Ecological aspects of Phlebotomines (Diptera: Psychodidae) in the urban area of Ponta Pora municipality, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

Introduction: The aim of this study was to carry out an analysis of urban phlebotomine fauna and a survey of infestations (intradomiciliary and peridomiciliary) in Ponta Pora municipality State of Mato Grosso do Sul. Methods: Sand flies were collected with automatic CDC light traps, installed monthly on three consecutive nights, from 18h to 6h, from September 2005 to September 2007. Results: A total of 3,946 phlebotomines, representing eight species, were captured, among which was a large predominance of Lutzomyia longipalpis, presenting high indexes of frequency, constancy, abundance and dominance. Of the total, 82.9% were males and 17.1% females. The monthly average number (136.29 +/- 152.01) of males captured being, much larger than that of females. Although the average number of phlebotomines in the intradomicile was much larger than that in the peridomicile, there was no significant statistical difference. A positive correlation was found between the abundance of phlebotomines and the average daily maximum temperature, precipitation and relative atmospheric humidity. Conclusions: The predominance of Lutzomyia longipalpis in Ponta Pora municipality is a reason for concern as regards the possibility of outbreaks of visceral leishmaniasis in the area, because this species is the main Leishmania chagasi vector not only in Mato Grosso do Sul but also nationwide.