Abstract
The bioecology of phlebotomine sand flies is intimately linked to the utilization of environmental resources including plant feeding. However, plant feeding behavior of sand flies remains largely understudied for Afrotropical species. Here, using a combination of biochemical, molecular, and chemical approaches, we decipher specific plant-feeding associations in field-collected sand flies from a dry ecology endemic for leishmaniasis in Kenya. Cold-anthrone test indicative of recent plant feeding showed that fructose positivity rates were similar in both sand fly sexes and between those sampled indoors and outdoors. Analysis of derived sequences of the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase large subunit gene (rbcL) from fructose-positive specimens implicated mainly Acacia plants in the family Fabaceae (73%) as those readily foraged on by both sexes of Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia. Chemical analysis by high performance liquid chromatography detected fructose as the most common sugar in sand flies and leaves of selected plant species in the Fabaceae family. Analysis of similarities (ANOSIM) of the headspace volatile profiles of selected Fabaceae plants identified benzyl alcohol, (Z)-linalool oxide, (E)-β-ocimene, p-cymene, p-cresol, and m-cresol, as discriminating compounds between the plant volatiles. These results indicate selective sand fly plant feeding and suggest that the discriminating volatile organic compounds could be exploited in attractive toxic sugar- and odor- bait technologies control strategies.
Highlights
The sand fly-borne disease leishmaniasis, constitutes a public health problem in eastern Africa including Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, and Somalia [1]
The findings indicate selective sand fly plant feeding and suggest that the discriminating volatile organic compounds could be exploited in attractive toxic sugar- and odorbait technologies for sand fly control
Our study demonstrates that Afrotropical phlebotomine sand flies including the leishmaniasis vectors P. duboscqi and P. martini of both sexes predominantly feed on plants in the Fabaceae family in a dry ecology, of which Acacia are predominantly represented
Summary
The sand fly-borne disease leishmaniasis, constitutes a public health problem in eastern Africa including Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, and Somalia [1]. Leishmaniasis ranks among the priority list of zoonotic diseases for control in Kenya [2] where an estimated 4000 human cases of the visceral form (VL) of the disease occurs, with about 5 million at risk of infection [3]. Current control of leishmaniasis relies on prompt diagnosis and chemotherapeutic treatment. These approaches have not prevented the spread of the disease across Kenya. Visceral leishmaniasis has expanded in geographic range with frequent recent outbreaks as the cutaneous form (CL) of the disease [3]. New tools are urgently needed with emphasis on disease prevention through effective management and control of the sand fly vectors
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